Vice President Lai Ching-te (left) is joined by recipients at the Indigenous Languages Revitalization Awards Ceremony and Development Conference in Taipei City Feb. 16. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)
 

The 2023 Indigenous Languages Revitalization Awards Ceremony and Development Conference wrapped up Feb. 16 in Taipei City, spotlighting the government’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to learning and speaking tribal tongues as part of multiethnic policies.

Organized by the Cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples, the daylong event was staged a few days before the U.N. International Mother Language Day, which is celebrated Feb. 21 as part of the world body’s work to promote multilingualism.

During the event, Vice President Lai Ching-te said great strides have been made in creating an environment for the natural use of mother tongues since Tsai’s inauguration in 2016. These included the enactment of the Indigenous Languages Development Act in 2017 and the National Languages Development Act in 2019, he added.

A further initiative was approved by the Executive Yuan in 2022, Lai said, adding that the government will spend over NT$30 billion (US$0.9 billion) on revitalizing national languages from 2022 to 2026.

Following his remarks, Premier Chen Chien-jen said complementary support measures include establishing a relevant research and development unit in 2019 and recruiting more indigenous language-speaking educational personnel for preschools and schools. A plan is also in the pipeline by the CIP to encourage around 900 churches in indigenous communities across the country to use tribal tongues, he added.

According to Chen, Taiwan’s cultural and linguistic diversity is one of the country’s most precious assets. He added that he anticipates indigenous languages will thrive for generations to come, furthering Taiwan’s freedom and diversity. (YCH-E)