[LETTERS]

Here are a few reasons why I think Taiwan should not adopt Hanyu Pinyin:

One, for those who don’t know Chinese, Hanyu Pinyin is not better than other Romanization systems, such as Wade-Giles.

If you can’t read characters, you won’t be able to pronounce Zhongxiao Fuxing any better than Chunghsiao Fuhsing.

Two, for those who know Chinese, using Wade-Giles is not a problem.

There are modern dictionaries that still use Wade-Giles, like the Grand Ricci (published in 2001).

Three, when we see a name written in a system other than Hanyu Pinyin, we know it probably comes from Taiwan. If, however, Hanyu Pinyin is adopted, foreigners will not be able to discern if the name comes from Taiwan or China and may assume that China and Taiwan are getting closer not only economically and politically, but also culturally.

If this trend persists, the fact cannot be ignored that traditional characters could be abandoned in favor of simplified characters in order to further “internationalize” Taiwan.

In this context, “internationalize” is equivalent to submitting to pressure from China. Some nationalistic Chinese bloggers already interpret the introduction of Hanyu Pinyin in Taiwan as one step toward final “reunification with the mainland.”

Finally, does the government in Taiwan really think that if it does not adopt Hanyu Pinyin, Taiwan will be less attractive to visitors and investors?

Let’s be serious. It is only one more gesture to please the leaders of the PRC and signal to them that their policy of eroding Taiwanese self-esteem and pride is finally paying off.

Catherine Ly

Berlin, Germany