Written by Wei-chi Chen. This article explores the terms “Black Cat” and “Black Dog” in colonial Taiwan during the 1920s and 30s. These terms, originating from a Taiwanese opera song, were used to translate the Japanese “moga” and “mobo,” describing emerging gender identities and a new social identity in modern urban culture. They also reflected a shift towards liberation and a contrast with existing gender norms at that time.
Written by Max Dixon. This article examines the AI model DeepSeek’s perspective on Taiwan, which essentially undermines Taiwan’s sovereignty and distinct history. DeepSeek adheres strictly to Chinese Communist Party’s views, undermining historical complexities and potentially influencing international understanding of Taiwan’s status, posing risks for future discourse.
Written by Ian Yi-Rong Su. Taiwan is enhancing its New Southbound Policy (NSP) in response to Chinese threats, focusing on sharing economy, technology, and youth empowerment. The NSP strengthens ties with ASEAN countries and promotes Taiwan’s role in global supply chains, especially in semiconductors. The upcoming NSP+ aims to further enhance international partnerships and Taiwan’s global presence.
Written by Dafydd Fell. The article traces the establishment of the Taiwan Studies Programme at SOAS and explores how it integrates Taiwan Studies courses with an extensive event program, including lectures, film screenings, and alumni talks. The strategy enhances student engagement, sustains interest in Taiwan-related studies, and fosters academic-community interaction. By combining teaching with real-world experiences, the Taiwan Studies Programme at SOAS successfully maintains a long-term and sustainable environment for Taiwan studies.
Written by Chan-yueh Liu. This article emphasizes the importance of teaching Taiwan through its multilingual heritage, advocating for the inclusion of Taiwanese languages (Tâi-gí in academic programs. It introduces “Performative Interpretation Strategies” at Inalco in France, which engages students through performance, music and digital content creation. The approach enhances language learning by fostering creativity, cultural immersion, and communicative competence.
Written by Thomas Fliß. This article introduces the workshop “Mapping Taiwan Teaching – Teaching Taiwan in Script, Speech and Performance” at Trier University, which focused on teaching Taiwan through language, culture, and performance. Scholars and educators explored Taiwan’s geopolitical significance, linguistic diversity, and cultural identity. The event featured interdisciplinary panels on Taiwan’s literature, theatre, and education, highlighting the need for expanded Taiwanese language courses and intercultural learning methods.
