Preservation of Taiwan Hakka “Linguistic Rights”A research using the National Language Development Bill

• Main Authors: Chin-Hui Hsu, 徐錦輝
• Other Authors: None
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/58rb8n

碩士 === 國立中央大學 === 客家政治經濟與政策研究所在職碩士專班 === 96 === Taiwan''s past language policy placed sole emphasis on “Standard Mandarin (based on Beijing dialect)” as the “National Language”, which severely suppressed the livelihood of native languages and the Hakka community of Taiwan was also one of the victims of this historic tragedy. This paper aims to use the “National Language Development Bill” as a basis for discussion to propose measures to resolve the problems surrounding Taiwan''s Hakka language. The structure of this paper consists of literature review in Chapter 2 “Theory Analysis” and “Analysis of National Language Development Bill and Related Laws and Bills” in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4, in-depth interviews were conducted for policy, law and implementation aspect analysis and in the final chapter, Chapter 5, there is the conclusion and recommendations. 1.The UNESCO “Convention on Cultural Diversity” lists the common vision of all humanity. This is the benchmark to measure the respect of human rights by modern democracies. Early establishment of language protection laws is a sign of an advance and more progressive policy. 2.Enforce the current and only language equality related law, the “Public Transportation Broadcast Equality Protection Law” to promote the concept of language equality. 3.Learn from Singapore''s experience of periodically organizing language review councils and development of language related curriculum measures to resolve or remedy language policy and language curriculum deficiencies. 4.Refer to Canada''s “mosaic” multiculturalism policies where each individual “tile” can maintain its own cultural identity. 5.Replicate New Zealand''s Maori language revival experience, reward the establishment of “Hakka kindergartens” and “Hakka elementary schools” to continue the Hakka language line. 6.Acknowledge that respect for cultural diversity is a universal value. Preservation of the languages and cultures of Taiwan''s ethnic groups as well as the construction of a “Language Database” is the duty of Taiwan''s government as well as its people. 7.Use the “concentric theory” to design and implement Hakka language education at all education levels, encourage cross-cultural learning and actively strive for acceptance from other communities. 8.The Hakka people should understand and realize the importance of the revival and inheritance of the Hakka language; the key to this is the awakening of Hakka consciousness. 9.Through community colleges, use the idea of “deliberative democracy” to address the inadequacies of the representative democracy system. This can help discover a new direction for the preservation of the Hakka''s “linguistic rights”. This paper is written in hope of providing assistance to government language policy design and implementation and improve the security of Taiwan''s Hakka people''s “linguistic rights”.