Ethnic context, education policy, and language assimilation of indigenous peoples in Taiwan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Indigenous peoples of Taiwan, the most disadvantaged of the minority groups, account for only about 2.4% of the total population. Within the Minnan dominant society of Taiwan, the Indigenous minority groups are confronted by critical language loss often attributed to cultural and structural assimilation factors. This study aims to investigate factors related with Austronesian language retention for indigenous peoples in Taiwan. Results reveal, Austronesian language fluency is reduced by education, but maintained by age, residing in an ethnic enclave during childhood, and practicing parental endogamy.