Preventing the Loss of the Indigenous Languages in Taiwan

Indigenous languages form one part of the local languages spoken in Taiwan. Most indigenous people can speak both Mandarin and their own indigenous language. But the majority of these bilingual people are that of the older generation. The younger generation of these indigenous cultures who live in the cities have greatly lost contact with their roots and heritage with many of them unable to converse in their ancestral tongues. This could lead to many of these languages becoming extinct and thus a part of Taiwan's culture and history to be lost.

Therefore, there was a need to prevent the loss of these languages. Realizing this, the government of Taiwan put into place measures to do just that.

The study of indigenous languages by its people has been included in Taiwan's compulsory education system. The Council of Indigenous Peoples of the Executive Yuan also offers lessons in major indigenous languages on its Internet website.

In June 2001, the Taipei City Government's Indigenous People's Commission and the Taipei City Government's Council of Aboriginal Affairs cosponsored two aboriginal radio programs--one on the Taipei Broadcasting Station and the other on the Broadcasting Corp. of China to introduce the languages, cultures, and activities of the indigenous people to Taiwan. In addition, these programs began broadcasting the latest policies and welfare packages available to indigenous peoples residing in Taipei.

Around the same time, the first program to combine the concept of local language education and childcare was also launched by the Taipei City Government which comprised nannies that spoke indigenous tongues. The aim was to expose children to these languages during their preschool years, as this is believed to be the critical stage for language learning.

In July 2001, adopting the example of New Zealand's Köhanga Reo program for the Mäoris, the Scheme of Aboriginal Language Networks was implemented in 12 districts of Taiwan. This scheme was set up to facilitate the establishment of a network of tutors and parents so that the best approaches and curricula for each particular indigenous group could be developed. Furthermore, indigenous students who obtain a Certificate of Aboriginal Language Proficiency in one of the 14 different indigenous languages that the government of Taiwan recognizes can apply for a 25 percent increase in school entrance examination scores.