Japanese models, Chinese culture and the dilemma of Taiwanese language reform

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The history of language modernization in East Asia has been explored in various contexts, but Taiwan remains largely unexamined. With Taiwan's growing international significance, understanding its linguistic culture is essential, particularly in light of globalization. Ann Heylen's study delves into the history and nature of language modernization in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period (1895–1945). The colonization significantly influenced discussions on language reform among the island's elite, who reflected on their spoken and written Chinese languages and adopted contemporary language models. The study focuses on three language reform movements from the 1920s and 1930s: the Romanized Taiwanese, Mandarin baihuawen, and Written Taiwanese movements. It investigates their emergence in the colonial context, the impact of the May Fourth movement, and the arguments for and against the Written Taiwanese movement. Additionally, it examines the tolerance of these movements by Japanese authorities and societal responses. Finally, the study addresses the relevance of these movements to contemporary Taiwanese issues regarding language, culture, and identity formation, highlighting their significance in understanding Taiwan's linguistic landscape today.