Taiwan defines itself through language
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Linguists and citizens in Taiwan are increasingly using the term “Taiwanese” to describe both people and their language, marking a shift in how the nation defines its cultural identity.
For decades, Taiwanese was considered a dialect of Chinese, subordinate to Mandarin. However, applying modern linguistic standards, specifically, a lack of mutual intelligibility between Taiwanese and Mandarin, supports recognizing Taiwanese as a distinct language within the Sinitic family.
Dictionaries in the English-speaking world have begun to reflect this change, including entries for “Taiwanese” that cover its use as a nationality, language, and cultural descriptor. This recognition is important for a community seeking acknowledgement of its unique linguistic reality. Alongside “Taiwanese,” terms like “Hokkien” and “Southern Min” are also used internationally, but a newer term, “Taigi,” a direct transliteration of the language’s native name, is gaining popularity, especially among younger generations.
This move toward self-defined linguistic identity reflects a broader pattern of naming languages as an act of self-definition. The article also touches on broader geopolitical issues impacting Taiwan, including the historical context of Formosa’s relationship with Japan following the San Francisco Peace Treaty, and challenges faced by foreign residents regarding passport renewals due to shifting diplomatic relations. These issues underscore the importance of Taiwan asserting its own identity on the world stage.
