Fwd: Interesting poll regarding Taiwanese Language

From: Jason Cox
Date: 2008-01-15 09:23:43

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Herbert Chang Date: Jan 13, 2008 5:44 AM

Subject: [FAPA-YP] Interesting poll regarding Taiwanese Language To: FAPA-YP

From the blog, Talking Taiwanese

I'm not sure exactly what this all means, but definitely some interesting results.

Herbert

Some Survey Data

In 2004 and 2005, we did a language survey among 541 university students at six of Taiwan's universities (two in Kaohsiung, one each in Hualien, Taichung, Hsinchu, and Taipei). We have recently expanded this to over a thousand respondents from all walks of life island-wide. I will post some of these more recent data in a few weeks time.

In the meantime, have a look at selected data from a former language survey as presented at conferences in Taiwan, Malaysia, Canada and Ireland. Unlike at those occasions, I prefer not to analyze the results and let the numbers speak for themselves.

Surveys were written questionnaires offered in Mandarin. The numbers represent the average mean scores (in percentages, for easier reading) of an 11-point Likert-scale feedback. For point 2, for example, one should read: 55% of respondents indicated that their parents use Taiwanese when speaking among themselves.

  1. Native language

Mother: Taiwanese 61% Mandarin 21% Hakka 8% no answer & other 10%

Father: Taiwanese 63% Mandarin 21% Hakka 6% no answer & other 10%

  1. Language use of parents among themselves Taiwanese 55% Mandarin 35% Hakka 3%

  2. Language use of parents with their children Taiwanese 46% Mandarin 54%

Hakka 0.7%

  1. Compared to Mandarin, Taiwanese is i̍: more useful in Taiwan 5% richer in culture 56% my preferred language to express my emotions 44% my preferred language to learn 29%

my preferred language to speak to my friends 23%

  1. Compared to Mandarin, English is i̍ : more useful in Taiwan 59% richer in culture 67% a my preferred language to express my emotions 4% my preferred language to learn 19%b my preferred language to speak to my friends 9%

a. surprising result, open to multiple interpretations, but in need of further research

b. even though most respondents were English department students

  1. Self-indicated proficiency in the following languages: Respondents answered this questions on a 4-point scale. Results can be read as "41% of respondents indicated that their proficiency in Taiwanese was very good."

Taiwanese 41% Mandarin 76% English 7%

  1. The language I want my children to speak is: Taiwanese: 56% Mandarin 79% English 67%

  2. Mandarin language education is the responsibility of: The government 69% The parents 31%

  3. Taiwanese language education is the responsibility of: The government 17%

The parents 83%

  1. Primary schools in Taiwan should offer the following languages: Taiwanese 18% (of respondents say so) Mandarin 61% English 12% No opinion 9%

  2. The "best language" for Taiwan isi̍: Taiwanese 12.8% Mandarin 83.1% English 4.1% a

a. Considering that over 70% of respondents were English department students, this result deserves more research and interpretation. To some comparing, let's say, points 7. and 11., it might seem that most respondents intend to send their children overseas (or plan to emigrate themselves).

-- Herbert Chang Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering MB504 Olin Way Needham, MA02492

.,._

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-- Jason 孔傑森 गुरुजी Ιάσων

Re: Re: [tgb] Fwd: Interesting poll regarding Taiwanese Language

From: tai
Date: 2008-01-15 09:47:56

Dear Jason:

Thank you for forwarding such a useful data.

It tells me that Taiwanese is among those disappearing languages needing immediate rescue.

But with the reluctant attitude for the government to get involved, I am afraid that the doom days are numbered.

** 

Once again, thanks,

** 

Michael Tai

** 

Dr.Michael Cheng-tek Tai Dean, College of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences Professor, Biomedical Ethics and Medical Humanities Chungshan Medical University, Taichung.Taiwan. Tel: +886-4-2473-0022 ext.17100 (O)        +886-4-2262-5780 (H).        +886-921-773830 Cell) Fax:+886-4-2324-8117 (O)

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Cox

To: Tai-gu-bang

Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:23 AM

Subject: [tgb] Fwd: Interesting poll regarding Taiwanese Language