A Comparative Study on Taiwan and Mainland China on Law of Language

Abstract

Modern countries under the rule of law promote the popularization of common languages and the protection and inheritance of languages used by different groups through the formulation of language policies and related laws.BR Both Taiwan and mainland China are multi-ethnic and multilingual society, and formulated their own language policies and regulations based on their different social environments.BR “Development of National Languages Act” of Taiwan was formally promulgated on January 9, 2019. There are a total of 18 regulations that set the goal of inheriting and sustaining the development of multilingual culture and protecting the rights of education, communication and public services of all ethnic groups using different languages, and this law based on the perspective of language preservation and sustainable development, respect the diversity of language and culture, and implement the spirit of cultural equality.BR Mainland China’s “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language” was revised and adopted at the 18th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People’s Congress on October 31, 2000, and took effects on January 1, 2001. There are 4 chapters and 28 regulations. It mainly includes the use, management and supervision of mandarin. Its purpose is to accelerate the standardization and healthy development of the national language, promote the mandarin plays a better role in social life, and economic and cultural exchanges among all ethnic groups and regions.BR Both laws are formulated basing on the social structure and development. Although the reasons are different, they both explain and guarantee the “national language”.BR It has not been sufficiently studied that compare Taiwan’s “Development of National Languages Act” and mainland China’s “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language”.BR Different from previous studies that have separately studied each language policy, this article is based on the two laws, try to compare the similarities and differences, and discuss the background, enactment, and impact on the society of the two laws, as a reference for further research.