The 39th public lecture, titled “The History of Taiwan, a Multilingual Nation, to the Present Day,” was held on Monday, March 6, 2023. Professor FUJII Kumiko from the Center for Multilingual Multicultural Education and Research at Miyazaki University delivered the lecture. 
Professor Fujii specializes in language policy research in modern and contemporary China and Taiwan. She authored the book “Language Policy in Modern and Contemporary China: Focusing on Character Reforms” (Sangensha, 2003), which chronicles language policy from the Opium War era to the present, analyzing differences in language perceptions between the Republic of China (ROC) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
In her lecture, Professor Fujii detailed Taiwan’s ethnic and linguistic diversity, the historical relationship between Japan and Taiwan, and the evolution of language education in Taiwan. Japanese language education as “the national language” began in Taiwan in 1895 during Japanese colonial rule, transitioning to Chinese language promotion after 1945, with restrictions on Taiwanese and Japanese languages. She also discussed Taiwan’s policies in response to its diverse linguistic landscape, including mandatory education in “mainland languages” like Minnan, Hakka, and Aboriginal languages under the General Outline of the National Basic Education Program for the Twelfth Year. Taiwan also introduced language programs for “new residents” for those who have moved to Taiwan through international marriage (over 500,000 people as of 2015), early English education, and second foreign language education (Japanese, German, French, etc.), reflecting societal changes.
In the latter part of her lecture, Professor Fujii detailed Taiwan’s 21st-century efforts towards internationalization, emphasizing the elevation of “mainland languages” (local languages), English, and “new resident languages”. She highlighted Taiwan’s enactment of the “National Language Development Act” and other initiatives to enhance the status of local languages.
Throughout the lecture, Professor Fujii showcased images depicting Taiwan’s multilingual tourism and films that provide insights into Taiwan’s cultural diversity, making the session a valuable exploration of Taiwan’s language policies, history, and future prospects.
