Impact of breastfeeding and Mycoplasma pneumoniae co-infection on coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease: a retrospective cohort study.

The interplay between language and identity has long constituted a focal point in sociolinguistics and intercultural studies (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ). Early scholarship predominantly emphasized the communicative and cultural-bearing functions of language, positing that linguistic proficiency serves as the fundamental basis for cultural comprehension, emotional belonging, and the construction of ethnic identity (; ). However, as research into heritage languages () has deepened, a growing body of scholarship indicates that a decline in linguistic proficiency does not inevitably precipitate a weakening of identity or cultural affiliation. This detachment is particularly evident within overseas Chinese communities, where the social symbolic attributes of language are becoming increasingly salient (, ; ). According to , a seminal figure in the theory of symbolic functions, characterizes language as a form of “symbolic capital.” He argues that the value of language derives not merely from its technical utility but from the recognition and legitimacy conferred upon it within a specific social context. In this view, language use frequently transcends competence, intertwining closely with individual identity, power dynamics, and social positioning. Further elaborating on this, proposed the theory of “Acts of Identity,” suggesting that individuals employ specific linguistic forms to achieve self-positioning or group affiliation. Consequently, language functions as a vehicle for identity expression and negotiation—a symbolic significance that, in numerous scenarios, supersedes its pragmatic communicative function (; ). In studies concerning the Chinese diaspora, this symbolic function has garnered increasing attention. Empirical evidence suggests that while many second- or third-generation Chinese immigrants may struggle with fluency, they consciously elect to use Chinese during family interactions, festivals, or peer exchanges to articulate a sense of belonging or a specific emotional stance (; ;; ; ; ; , ; ). To a certain extent, the role of language within these groups has transcended daily communication, assuming the function of a cultural symbol and identity marker. Concurrently, some heritage language studies observe that in multilingual environments, while literacy skills are often the most arduous to maintain, identity can nonetheless be reinforced through symbolic usage and specific contextual engagement ().