Possible Language Issues in Taiwan 1. Should Taiwan have a national and/or official language?

What should it be? What language(s) can best represent your identity?

2. What language should be the medium of education?

3. How much attention should be devoted to other local varieties?

4. What foreign language(s) should be taught in schools? Starting when? For how long?

5. Should there be a foreign language proficiency requirement for graduation from university?

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Modern Borders and Language Groups

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Language

Country

National and Official Languages“A national language is the language of a

political, cultural and social unit. It is generally developed and used as a symbol of national unity. Its functions are to identify the nation and unite the people of the nation.”

“An official language, by contrast, is simply a language which may be used for government business. Its function is primarily utilitarian rather than symbolic.”

3/12Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, pp. 102-103.

National Language Planning

1. Selection

2. Codification / Standardization

3. Elaboration

4. Implementation (Securing acceptance)

4/12Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, p. 107.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Fasold, Ralph. 1984. The Sociolinguistics of Society, p. 267. 5/12

SwahiliNational Language of Tanzania

Fasold, Ralph. 1984. The Sociolinguistics of Society, pp. 268-269. 6/12

1. Indigenous 2. Not the language of one of the groups

competing for dominance 3. Widely known as a second language 4. Linguistically related to most of the

vernacular languages of the population 5. Historically used as language of basic

education and many government functions

National Language for Kenya 1

Similarities to Tanzania

1. Both in East Africa

2. Both multilingual

3. Both former British colonies

4. Both achieved independence about the same time

5. Both had Swahili as language of wider communication

Fasold, Ralph. 1984. The Sociolinguistics of Society, pp. 276-277. 7/12

National Language for Kenya 2

Differences from Tanzania

1. English is the official language; not Swahili 2. Not governed by Germany (with consistent

language policy) 3. Political systems different 4. Vernaculars more important in education 5. Variety of Swahili not well accepted 6. Fewer language groups (31); 4 languages

comprise 58% of population 7. Only 60-65% of people speak a Bantu

language. Fasold, Ralph. 1984. The Sociolinguistics of Society, pp. 276-277.

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South America

Fasold, Ralph. 1984. The Sociolinguistics of Society, p. 13. 9/12

Spanish / Guaraní Decision Tree

Fasold, Ralph. 1984. The Sociolinguistics of Society, p. 201. 10/12

Policy Questions about English in Taiwan 1

When should kids begin to LEARN English?

When should schools begin to TEACH English?

How many hours per week?

What about bilingual kindergartens? Should there be any restrictions?

Should GEPT be a graduation requirement for ALL university students?

What about other foreign languages? 11/12

What will happen to other local languages (Taiwanese or Aboriginal) because English is promoted?

Will learning English hurt children’s acquisition of Taiwanese?

What level of competence should be the goal?

Should instruction be by local teachers or foreign teachers?

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Policy Questions about English in Taiwan 2