Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development
Editor and Book Reviews Editor: John Edwards (St Francis Xavier University, Canada)
|
Volume: 22 Number: 6 Page: 502–523
|
|
|
|
|
Language Attitudes Towards Written Taiwanese
|
|
Wi-Vun Taiffalo Chiung
|
|
This survey includes a total of 244 students from Tamkang University and Tamsui College in Taiwan. The students were told to evaluate seven prepared Taibun (written Taiwanese) reading samples (written in
different orthographies) on six characteristic scales. The statistical results reveal that Han character-only orthography received highest rating, Han-Roman mixed received the second highest, and Roman-only
script received the lowest. Overall, the students showed positive attitudes towards Taibun. In addition to the orthography factor, students' background also affected their evaluations. The significant factorsare:
(1) place of residence (Taipei vs. non-Taipei), (2) major (Taiwanese and English vs. Mechanical Engineering vs. Chinese, Japanese, and Public Administration), (3) mother tongue (Taiwanese vs. non-Taiwanese),
(4) language ability (Taiwanese vs. non-Taiwanese), (5) national identity (Taiwanese vs. non-Taiwanese), and (6) assertions on national status (independence vs. non-independence). In short, whether or not
Taibun will be successfully promoted to a national status, highly depends on people's orthography demands and their attitudes towards written Taiwanese. Moreover, their language ability and national identity
will will play an important role while they are making the determinations.
© Multilingual Matters 2001
Full text PDF
|
