🇹🇼What does Taiwan require?

Everyday topic

Taiwan's approach is unique among these seven markets: it declines to name a single national language. Article 3 of the National Languages Development Act defines national languages as the natural languages used by each of Taiwan's indigenous communities and Taiwan Sign Language; Article 4 then states that all national languages are equal and that no one may be discriminated against or restricted for using them. The statute does not elevate one language out of many — it takes them in as a set and declares them equal to one another. That sign language sits in the same list is the clearest evidence of what is meant: a national language here is defined as one that people on this island actually use, not one the government works in. Article 7 adds that languages facing a break in transmission get priority for revitalisation. It is the mirror image of the Indian structure, which names one language and then legislates separately for everything else.