The government understands the need for educational support for “new immigrants,” Minister of Education Cheng Ying- yao (鄭英耀) said yesterday, following media reports about a complaint on having to use traditional Chinese characters.
“New immigrants” is a legal term that refers to foreign, including Chinese, nationals approved for long-term residence in Taiwan, whether through marriage or other residency categories.
A woman from China married to a Taiwanese posted online that writing traditional Chinese characters was “bothersome,” local media outlets reported.
Photo: Rachel Lin, Taipei Times
The woman expressed hope that Taiwan’s “reunification” with China would allow the use of simplified Chinese characters, they reported.
Asked about the issue, Cheng said that Taiwan is a multicultural society and that the needs arising from cross-border marriages are “understandable.”
Children of “new immigrants” who learned simplified Chinese characters would need assistance after coming to Taiwan, in their daily lives and in school, he said.
Traditional Chinese characters are Taiwan’s official writing system, and the Ministry of Education has long worked with local government education bureaus to help children of immigrants and foreign students adapt to learning and daily life in Taiwan, he said.
Education bureaus and departments across the nation provide transitional learning programs, as well as language counseling and assistance, he added.
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