Written by Coleton Hast. Taiwan’s pursuit of sovereign AI raises questions about whose sovereignty it serves. This article examines how projects such as TAIDE and the Indigenous Languages Research and Development Foundation’s language tools incorporate Indigenous data. It argues that representation alone is insufficient without Indigenous control over data and governance of AI development.
Written by Yang-Hsun Hou. Through this article, the author examines their position as a Han person in Taiwan, reflecting on how Han settler colonialism is felt, normalised, and tied to systemic racism. The author advocates for recognising colonial structures and listening to Indigenous perspectives to foster accountability and relational healing.
Written by Neeraj Mehra. The article argues that despite Taiwan’s generous scholarships and growing demand for talent, few Indian students pursue Mandarin proficiency. Cultural attitudes toward language learning, limited career visibility, reliance on English, and the absence of strong alumni networks discourage long-term commitment, hindering deeper India-Taiwan educational and professional ties.
Written by Amy Pei-jung Lee. This article traces the variety of writing systems employed in attempts to represent Indigenous languages, traditionally transmitted orally, in written form. In 2005, the Council of Indigenous Peoples, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, officially promulgated standardised Romanised orthographic systems for the 42 dialects representing the then-12 languages recognised by the government. The implementation of these writing systems has given rise to further discussions concerning orthographic conventions.
Written by Apay Ai-yu Tang. Taiwan is home to sixteen Indigenous languages, most of which are severely endangered. Despite school programs, teaching remains challenging due to historical Mandarin-only policies and low motivation. The article reviews pedagogical approaches and examines the Silent Way, finding it can foster confidence, engagement, and language revitalisation in multilingual contexts through learner-driven discovery.
Written by Cassandra Preece. This article focuses on identifying the actors and key institutions involved in the development and implementation of Indigenous language policy in Taiwan. The author’s findings suggest that substantive representation may be embedded within executive institutions, particularly when those institutions are designed to guarantee Indigenous leadership and policy authority.
