This study analyzed the narratives of Chaldean refugees in the Detroit Metropolitan area, in an attempt to better understand the various changes experienced by the refugees while still living in Iraq, and after their relocation. In addition, this research considered whether the concept of “The Myth of Return” was present or absent among the sample of Chaldean refugees in the Detroit area. The Myth of Return posits that immigrants will almost always hold on to the idea of one day returning to the homeland, even when all practical reality suggests the possibility of returning is not likely. The literature suggests for immigrants to reject the Myth of Return is essentially the equivalent of rejecting the homeland as well as the immigrant community in the host country. However, the literature also suggests the presence or absence of the myth is also influenced by the nature of the immigrant’s relationship to the homeland as well as to the relationship with the host country. If the immigrant was a part of the dominant group in the homeland, then the immigrant is more likely to hold on to the myth. However, if the immigrant was a part of a minority group in the homeland, then the immigrant is less likely to hold on to the myth. Considering the Chaldean minority status in Iraq, it would not seem likely that Chaldean refugees would entertain the idea of returning; however, given their strong ties to Iraq, the possibility of such a return is perhaps not out of the question.

中文翻译：

---

迦勒底基督教难民与回归神话：叙事研究

这项研究分析了底特律大都会地区迦勒底难民的叙述，以期更好地了解难民在仍生活在伊拉克期间以及在他们移居后所经历的各种变化。此外，这项研究还考虑了在底特律地区的迦勒底难民样本中是否存在“回归神话”的概念。《回归神话》认为，即使所有现实情况都表明不可能返回的可能性，移民几乎总是会坚持有一天返回家园的想法。文献表明，移民拒绝回归神话实质上等于拒绝祖国和东道国的移民社区。然而，文献还表明，神话的存在与否也受到移民与祖国以及与东道国关系的性质的影响。如果移民是家园中占主导地位的群体的一部分，那么移民更有可能坚持神话。但是，如果移民是家园中少数群体的一部分，那么移民就不太可能坚持神话。考虑到伊拉克的迦勒底少数民族地位，迦勒底难民似乎不太可能接受回返的念头。但是，鉴于他们与伊拉克的紧密联系，这种返回的可能性也许并非不可能。如果移民是家园中占主导地位的群体的一部分，那么移民更有可能坚持神话。但是，如果移民是家园中少数群体的一部分，那么移民就不太可能坚持神话。考虑到伊拉克的迦勒底少数民族地位，迦勒底难民似乎不太可能接受回返的念头。但是，鉴于他们与伊拉克的紧密联系，这种返回的可能性也许并非不可能。如果移民是家园中占主导地位的群体的一部分，那么移民更有可能坚持神话。但是，如果移民是家园中少数群体的一部分，那么移民就不太可能坚持神话。考虑到伊拉克的迦勒底少数民族地位，迦勒底难民似乎不太可能接受回返的念头。但是，鉴于他们与伊拉克的紧密联系，这种返回的可能性也许并非不可能。迦勒底难民似乎不太可能接受返回家园的想法；但是，鉴于他们与伊拉克的紧密联系，这种返回的可能性也许并非不可能。迦勒底难民似乎不太可能接受返回家园的想法；但是，鉴于他们与伊拉克的紧密联系，这种返回的可能性也许并非不可能。