Ann Heylen Reihenfolge der Bücher

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.

One of the most important aspects of democracy has been the transition from colonialism. In Taiwan this discussion is typically framed in political discourse that focuses on theoretical issues. Becoming Taiwan departs from this well-traveled route to describe the cultural, historical and social origins of Taiwan’s thriving democracy. Contributors were specifically chosen to represent both Taiwanese and non-Taiwanese researchers, as well as a diverse range of academic fields, from Literature and Linguistics to History, Archeology, Sinology and Sociology. The result represents a mixture of well-known scholars and young researchers from outside the English-speaking world. The volume addresses three main issues in Taiwan Studies and attempts answers based in the historical record: How Chinese is Taiwan? Organizing a Taiwanese Society, and Speaking about Taiwan. Individual chapters are grouped around these three themes illustrating the internal dynamics that transformed Taiwan into its current manifestation as a thriving multiethnic democracy. Our approach addresses these themes pointing out how Taiwan Studies provides a multidisciplinary answer to problems of the transformation from colonialism to democracy.