2015/12/81 New Taiwanese and New Chinese: dialectics on identity and language in the new century Jennifer M. Wei English Department Soochow University Taipei, Taiwan

2015/12/82 Outline 1. Taiwan ’ s quest for national identity can be traced in the speeches of its three directly elected presidents: Lee Teng- hui ( ), Chen Shui-bian ( ), and Ma Ying-jeou (2008 until now). 2. We can apply theories on identity formation in a post nationalistic era. 3. The rising status of Chinese as a global language is taken into account — see changed US changed policies. 4. The implications for sociolinguistic transitions in Taiwan and greater Chinese communities.

2015/12/83  First Japan, then ROC, then ROC/Taiwan, then …  One language policy replaced by another.  Conflicts colored Taiwan thinking. Taiwan identity: the historical context

2015/12/84 Themes from the three directly elected ROC presidents  Lee Teng-hui ( ): ‘ The unbearable sadness of being ’  Chen Shui-bian ( ): ‘ Hope is beautiful when followed by a dream that comes true ’  Ma Ying-jeou ( ): ‘ Brave new connections ’ (or ‘ New Taiwanese revisited ’ )

2015/12/8 5 Lee Teng-hui Major political posts:  Taipei Mayor ( )  Governor of Taiwan Province ( )  Vice-president of Taiwan ( )  President of Taiwan ( )

2015/12/8 6 Highlights of Lee Teng- hui ’ s speeches  ‘ New Taiwanese ’  ’ Two States ’  From ‘ ROC ’ to ‘ Taiwan ’

2015/12/87 Chen Shui-bian Major political posts:  Taipei Mayor ( )  President of ROC ( )

2015/12/88 Highlights of Chen ’ s Speeches  Taiwan Stand Up  Four No ’ s Plus-One  Continuous political reform?

2015/12/89 Ma Ying-jeou  Major political posts:  Justice Minister ( )  Mayor of Taipei ( )  President of ROC (2008 till now)

2015/12/810 Highlights of Ma Ying Jeou ’ s speeches  New Taiwanese (revisited)  A post-nationalistic discourse  Neither unification nor independence

2015/12/811 Conclusion: Not Only New Taiwanese but New Chinese  A shift of thinking in the US.  -- Chinese as a a global strategic language, not just a heritage language.  For Taiwan, a new basis for real and imagined interaction with world powers in the new century.

 Acknowledgement: This presentation was prepared for the ALLT conference at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology on the 16th of April, Thanks are due to the participants for questions and comments and John Hamilton for going through the drafts and for providing insightful discussions.