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New Taiwanese and New New Taiwanese and New Chinese: dialectics on Chinese: dialectics on

identity and language in identity and language in the new centurythe new century

JenniferJennifer M. Wei M. Wei

English DepartmentEnglish DepartmentSoochow UniversitySoochow University

Taipei, Taiwan 11102Taipei, Taiwan 11102Wei_jennifer@hotmail.comWei_jennifer@hotmail.com

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OutlineOutline1.1. Taiwan’s quest for national identity can be traced in the speeches Taiwan’s quest for national identity can be traced in the speeches

of its three directly elected presidents: Lee Teng-hui (1996-2000), of its three directly elected presidents: Lee Teng-hui (1996-2000), Chen Shui-bian (2000-2008), and Ma Ying-jeou (2008 until now).Chen Shui-bian (2000-2008), and Ma Ying-jeou (2008 until now).

2.2. We can apply theories on identity formation in a post We can apply theories on identity formation in a post nationalistic era .nationalistic era .

3.3. The rising status of Chinese as a global language is taken into The rising status of Chinese as a global language is taken into account—see changed US changed policies.account—see changed US changed policies.

4.4. The implications for sociolinguistic transitions in Taiwan and The implications for sociolinguistic transitions in Taiwan and greater Chinese communities.greater Chinese communities.

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First Japan, then ROC, then ROC/Taiwan, First Japan, then ROC, then ROC/Taiwan, then…then…

One language policy replaced by another.One language policy replaced by another. Conflicts colored Taiwan thinking.Conflicts colored Taiwan thinking.

Taiwan identity: the historical Taiwan identity: the historical contextcontext

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Themes from the three Themes from the three directly elected ROC directly elected ROC

presidents presidents

Lee Teng-hui (1996-2000): ‘The Lee Teng-hui (1996-2000): ‘The unbearable sadness of being’unbearable sadness of being’

Chen Shui-bian (2000-2008): ‘Hope Chen Shui-bian (2000-2008): ‘Hope is beautiful when followed by a is beautiful when followed by a dream that comes true’dream that comes true’

Ma Ying-jeou (2008 -- ): ‘Brave new Ma Ying-jeou (2008 -- ): ‘Brave new connections’ (or ‘New Taiwanese connections’ (or ‘New Taiwanese revisited’)revisited’)

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Lee Teng-hui Lee Teng-hui

Major political posts:Major political posts: Taipei Mayor (1978-81)Taipei Mayor (1978-81) Governor of Taiwan Province Governor of Taiwan Province

(1981-1984)(1981-1984) Vice-president of Taiwan (1984-Vice-president of Taiwan (1984-

1988)1988) President of Taiwan (1988-2000)President of Taiwan (1988-2000)

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Highlights of Lee Teng-Highlights of Lee Teng-hui’s speecheshui’s speeches

‘‘New Taiwanese’ New Taiwanese’ ’’Two States’Two States’ From ‘ROC’ to ‘Taiwan’From ‘ROC’ to ‘Taiwan’

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Chen Shui-bian Chen Shui-bian

Major political posts:Major political posts: Taipei Mayor (1994-1998)Taipei Mayor (1994-1998) President of ROC (2000-2008)President of ROC (2000-2008)

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Highlights of Chen ’s Highlights of Chen ’s SpeechesSpeeches

Taiwan Stand UpTaiwan Stand Up Four No’s Plus-One Four No’s Plus-One Continuous political reform?Continuous political reform?

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Ma Ying-jeou Ma Ying-jeou

Major political posts:Major political posts: Justice Minister (1993-1996)Justice Minister (1993-1996) Mayor of Taipei (1998-2006)Mayor of Taipei (1998-2006) President of ROC (2008 till now)President of ROC (2008 till now)

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Highlights of Ma Ying Jeou’s Highlights of Ma Ying Jeou’s speechesspeeches

New Taiwanese (revisited)New Taiwanese (revisited) A post-nationalistic discourse A post-nationalistic discourse Neither unification nor independenceNeither unification nor independence

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Conclusion: Not Only New Conclusion: Not Only New Taiwanese but New ChineseTaiwanese but New Chinese

A shift of thinking in the US.A shift of thinking in the US. -- Chinese as a a global strategic language, not -- Chinese as a a global strategic language, not

just a heritage language.just a heritage language. For Taiwan, a new basis for real and imagined For Taiwan, a new basis for real and imagined

interaction with world powers in the new interaction with world powers in the new century.century.

Acknowledgement: Acknowledgement: This presentation was This presentation was prepared for the ALLT conference at National prepared for the ALLT conference at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology Taiwan University of Science and Technology on the 16th of April, 2009. Thanks are due to on the 16th of April, 2009. Thanks are due to the participants for questions and comments the participants for questions and comments and John Hamilton for going through the and John Hamilton for going through the drafts and for providing insightful discussions.drafts and for providing insightful discussions.