The Taiwanese language, from a language learner’s perspective - Israel Lai | PG 2023

Taiwan has its own language????
Oh boy, that on its own is a very hard question to answer. But in this talk, I’ll attempt to answer that, and more, on what’s commonly known as the Taiwanese language.
Apart from teaching you how to start speaking Taiwanese, I’ll introduce the linguistic and historical aspects of this language. But more importantly, I’ll be talking about the significance of this minority language on the island of Taiwan, its current status and uses, and why it’s important to me, an outsider, to be telling you about all of this.
Israel Lai is a composer by day and a language learner by night. He discovered his passion for languages when he first taught himself German on his own, ten years ago. Amid lockdown, he created the language-linguistics podcast 絮言．狂想, discussing language topics closer to Cantonese listeners and creating listening materials for Cantonese learners. He also runs the KZbin channel Rhapsody in Lingo, creating multilingual videos about his language learning and life abroad. Israel is currently pursuing a PhD in Composition at the University of Manchester, focusing on density and urban landscapes. He is also a stenography learner.
Website: rhapsodyinlingo.com
This video was recorded at the Polyglot Gathering 2023 (www.polyglotgathering.com).

[@vampyricon7026]

Just a note that the syllable-final stops in Hokkien only became glottal after *a.

[@deryckchan]

The way you explain literary vs colloquial readings of Taiwanese and code-mixing with Mandarin makes it sound like they're secretly speaking 3 languages at the same time and it takes a native speaker's upbringing to know the conventions of which reading to use in which context... Wait that sounds a bit familiar with another trilingual culture I know!

[@lenfer8645]

"What have you learned about Taiwan using/learning Taiwanese that you wouldn't have learned in Mandarin?" As a Taiwanese person, I would say it's the red pill. Learning Taiwanese made me realize that my parents' fluency in Taiwanese isn't just a skill; it's their identity, something I should have inherited. Yet I belong to the Mandarin-washed generation. Coming to terms with the fact that I've been living in a colonial state (ROC) was both painful and enlightening. It forced me to confront the inaccuracies in some of my impressions about Taiwan. The journey of learning Taiwanese, and the enlightenment that came with understanding colonization, urged me to look deeper into the history of my homeland.

[@user-ic4ce8xb5v]

I'm a dual citizen of the ROC and the US. I'd just like to add my two cents. The US government supported the fascist government of 蔣介石 which suppressed Taiwan's culture, I think it's important not to forget that the US is the colonizer that supports these colonial regimes all over the world including Israel now. The Taiwan identity doesn't have to be in opposition to the PRC, and 大陸 has fought fascism and colonialism for a century. Respecting Taiwan's culture should be a prerequisite for negociation and they will do that.

[@lenfer8645]

Look, Taiwan's identity has absolutely nothing to do with the PRC. It's none of their business, and frankly, none of yours either. It's super strange that you blame the US-backed ROC but still use the term 大陸, which aligns with the perspective with ROC. With PRC too. With CHINA. I have neither interest nor faith in China, thank you very much. My focus is on Taiwan, not picking sides between two Chinas. Don't pretend to care about Taiwanese identity. You're just taking advantage of my resentment towards the ROC, trying to downplay the PRC's issues and push their agenda. Regardless of which China you support, you're not on my side.

[@user-ic4ce8xb5v]

@@lenfer8645 Don't pretend you're against colonialism when you clearly supporting America's puppet regime and America is the biggest colonizer and imperialist on the planet. Both the 國民黨 and 民進黨 are handmaidens to US imperialism and colonialism, the 民進黨 is just like the US Democrats using liberal, inclusive language to cover what they are actually doing. Do you know the 民進黨 supported Israel? Don't make me laugh pretending you're against colonization, you are only against colonization of yourself. As for my respect for Taiwan identity, you have no right to tell me what my business is or not, a I DO respect Taiwan's identity and support the preservation of Taiwan's languages and cultures. Whether you like it or not, the land of Taiwan is part of China by law: international law, PRC law, and ROC law. I am a communist and I dislike both parties in Taiwan and America, and it would be wise for people in Taiwan to prioritize what they want and come to a deal with the PRC to keep the peace as well as ensure Taiwan's autonomy and culture is respected, which Taiwanese people certainly have a right to instead of allowing the US to turn Taiwan into another Ukraine.

[@user-ic4ce8xb5v]

@@lenfer8645 Don't pretend you're against colonialism when you are clearly supporting America's puppet regime, and America is the biggest colonizer and imperialist on the planet. Both the 國民黨 and 民進黨 are working with the US, the only difference is that the 民進黨 uses inclusive language to cover what they are actually doing just like the Democrats here in the US. Do you know the 民進黨 supported Israel? Don't make me laugh pretending you are against colonization when you are clearly only against it when it affects you. As for my respect for Taiwanese identity, you have no right to tell me what is my business and no right to tell me what is in my head. I don't need to prove my respect for Taiwan's identity for you, and if I didn't respect it I certainly wouldn't spend an hour watching a presentation about Taiwan's language. Whether or not you like it, Taiwan's land is legally a part of China according to PRC law, ROC law, international law, US law, and most countries on the planet. I'm not interested in telling you what your identity is or how you should conceive of yourself, but your identity and culture are separate from this legal question. I am a communist, and I have a strong dislike for both parties in Taiwan and both parties in the US which only exist to serve the capitalist class and imperialism. All I will say is that it is wise for people in Taiwan to prioritize their values and come to a deal with the PRC to preserve Taiwan's cultures, languages, and autonomy as much as possible, and avoid letting the US turn Taiwan into another Ukraine.

[@user-ic4ce8xb5v]

@@lenfer8645 My comment keeps getting deleted so here's a shorter version. There is no way to be against colonialism and support the American backed regime at the same time. Both the 國民黨 and 民進黨 are working with the US, the only difference is that the 民進黨 uses inclusive language to cover what they are actually doing. Do you know the 民進黨 supported Israel? I don't need to prove my respect for Taiwan's identity to you. If I didn't respect it, I certainly wouldn't spend an hour watching a presentation about Taiwan's language. Whether or not you like it, Taiwan is legally a part of China according to PRC law, ROC law, international law, US law, and most countries on the planet. I'm not interested in telling you what your identity is, it can be whatever you want it to be. This a total separate question from the legal question: this is why I say 大陸 and 台灣. I am a communist, and I dislike all parties in Taiwan and the USA: they only exist to serve capitalists and imperialists. My opinion is the Taiwanese people must to prioritize their values and come to a deal with the PRC, preserving Taiwan's cultures, languages, and autonomy as much as possible, as opposed to letting the US turn Taiwan into another Ukraine.