Veronique Arnaud, a French anthropologist and ethnolinguist who dedicated her life to studying the culture and language of Taiwan’s indigenous Tao people, passed away in France on Sunday last week at the age of 77.
Arnaud was an honorary research fellow at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, which was jointly established by the French National Center for Scientific Research, the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences and the French National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations.
After graduating with a master’s degree in Chinese literature from Paris Diderot University, she in 1971 began studying the culture of the Tao, who are native to Taichung County’s Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼).
Photo courtesy of Syaman Rapongan via CNA
She visited the island numerous times to collect first-hand information and documents of Tao culture, language and music.
Arnaud said her documentation is valuable for Tao who want to learn the language later in life.
“Passing on Tao culture is the most beautiful gift,” she said.
In 2017, she received the Taiwan-France Cultural Award, which she dedicated to the Tao, saying that their recognition as an indigenous community “unconditionally” helped her research.
Tao writer Syaman Rapongan, who was a close friend of Arnaud, on Wednesday said he last met her in September.
“We had a great time that day,” Syaman said, adding that he spoke with Arnaud by telephone two weeks ago, conversing in Tao.
“I was caught off guard when Arnaud’s daughter messaged me about her passing several days ago,” he said.
French academic Stephane Corcuff, who also received a Taiwan-France Cultural Award in 2017, on Facebook on Tuesday expressed sadness at the loss of his friend.
“She left us on Sunday, peacefully, but her unexpected departure plunges us into the pain of an immense loss,” Corcuff wrote.
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