Although linguistic and cultural varieties exist among Chinese Heritage Language Learners (CHLLs), little attention has been given to how adult CHLLs with non-Mandarin backgrounds attempt to negotiate their identities when they learned Chinese. Grounded in He's (2008 He's ( , 2016) ) theory of Chinese heritage language (CHL) development, this study explored the construction of identities of Chinese adults from Southeast Asian American families in the process of Chinese heritage language

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... . Three adult CHLLs in the United States participated in a multiple-case study that lasted for six months. Data collection included interviews, journals, observations, and informal communications. Findings suggest that CHLLs with Southeast Asian family backgrounds had a deeper understanding of their identity during adulthood and tended to construct an identity that was opposite to the group with which they were interacting. Highlighting the heterogeneity and fluidity of the identities among participants, this study concludes with implications.