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Updated Monday, February 13, 2012 0:06 am TWN, TAIPEI, CNA

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Group views language database as pro-unification

TAIPEI -- A pro-Taiwanese independence group of language professors expressed concern Sunday that a new language database shared by Taiwan and China is part of an effort by President Ma Ying-jeou to push for unification with China, and called for more attention to the languages spoken in Taiwan.

On Feb. 8, Taiwan launched a website that features a database detailing the different languages in Taiwan and China. Managed by the Taipei-based General Association of Chinese Culture, it is the first of its kind to adopt cloud computing technology.

In addition to different words and phrases, Taiwan uses traditional Chinese characters while China uses simplified forms of those characters.

“Such an initiative shows the Ma administration's heavy focus on Taiwan's links with China,” said Chang Yen-hsien, president of the Taiwan Association of University Professors (TAUP), at a news conference.

The TAUP, which promotes Taiwanese culture, academic freedom and democracy, is widely seen as supporting Taiwan independence.

“We don't object to a platform that introduces the different language usages in Taiwan and China,” Chang said. “But we're concerned about the implication behind such a move.”

The group expressed concern that following the launch of the online database, the government will move to create an environment in which both sides of the Taiwan Strait adopt the same writing system, which they believe would sabotage Taiwan's local culture.

The government should increase efforts to promote and safeguard the diverse languages used in Taiwan, such as Hoklo, spoken by Taiwan's largest ethnic group, the Han, Hakka, and the dialects spoken by different indigenous tribes, Chang added.

Since Ma took office in May 2008, Taiwan-China relations have improved greatly. However, critics have often slammed Ma, who won re-election Jan. 14, for adopting policies leaning toward China.

Ma has repeatedly rebutted such accusations, saying that he puts Taiwan's interests first.

Andrew Chang, an associate professor in Taiwanese languages at Chung Shan Medical University, also urged the government to pass a language equality act that underlines a broader definition of Taiwan's “national language.”

He added that the act has been stalled in the Legislature since 2003.

Hoklo, Hakka and the aboriginal languages should all be defined as national languages, Chang said, adding that the definition should not be limited to Mandarin, which is seen as the most commonly spoken language in Taiwan.

At the launch ceremony for the new online database, Ma said it will serve as a platform for cultural exchanges across the strait and boost mutual understanding, while also helping to preserve the aesthetics of traditional Chinese characters.

“The new initiative is all about culture, without political implications,” according to Ma.

“It is impossible to convince the other side to give up (what it is using),” Ma said, saying the best way to approach the issue is to present the differences in the languages spoken by people of Taiwan and China.

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Comments

February 14, 2012 curtisakbar@

What a load of B.S all the languages spoken in Taiwan apart from the Aboriginal languages are forms of the Chinese language. There is no such thing as a language called Taiwanese. These pro-independence people should just accept the fact that until 1949 there was no such thing as being Taiwanese. Under the Japanese reign, the locals had pro-Chinese movements, wanting to be re-united with the mainland. Just more political nonsense.

February 16, 2012 carltanong@

IF any foreigner studying Mandarin or a person have Chinese surname, Professor Chang will say he/she is pro and leaning to the mainland....

Perhaps Chang Yen-hsien president of TAUP and associates never visited our National Palace Museum in their entire life.

Remember Chang, we live in the 21st century. Your surname was imported from the mainland. You are using mandarin to teach your students. And Mandarin is our National Language. RIGHT?