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Program to keep native languages alive is a success

Indigenous teachers in Taipei launched a language program last year to keep native languages alive among indigenous people living in big cities.

The results so far have been quite good, the group said yesterday.

"The objective of the association is to promote the indigenous cultures of all 13 tribes and teach native languages to urban students of indigenous descent," president of the Taipei Indigenous Languages Teachers Association Pu Cheng-chang (浦正昌) said on the sidelines of an indigenous culture festival held at the former Songshan Tobacco Factory.

The association was established last year and has 42 teachers from 13 Taiwanese tribes, most of whom are teaching native languages in Taipei City, Pu said.

Teachers hold two-hour weekly classes in churches, schools, village offices and apartments. More than 700 students -- from elementary school to university -- have participated in the free program.

Upah Yuki, an Atayal from Jianshih Township (尖石) in Hsinchu County, has been teaching an Atayal class of 15 students in the Neihu and Nangang areas for the past year.

Pu, a Tsou from Alishan (阿里山), Chiayi County, said the group launched the initiative to complement the "Language Nest" program run by the Indigenous Peoples Commission of the Taipei City Government.

"I'm happy to see that most indigenous students in Taipei City are learning their native language and that most parents are encouraging their children to do so," Pu said.

In general, the nation's indigenous people are happy to see the government's efforts in preserving indigenous culture, Upah said.

Upah said that Sanmin Township (三民) in Kaohsiung County was right to adopt the new indigenous name of Namasiya Township last week to honor its Tsou tribal history.
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