[EDLING:207] Taiwan: Learning Hakka language and culture on the rise

[Francis M. Hult]

Radio Taiwan International

Learning Hakka language and culture on the rise 

Learning Hakka language and culture are becoming increasingly popular in Taiwan.

That's what Taiwan's top official in charge of Hakka affairs said on Sunday.

Council of Hakka Affairs Chaiman Lee Yung-teh was overseeing the 2007 
nationwide Hakka language proficiency test. The one-day test was being held 
simultaneously in all major cities and counties nation-wide. Lee said the 
number of people attending this year's test increased by some 2,600 people over 
last year's 5,000.
    
According to Lee, only 11.6 percent of Hakka children under the age of 13 could 
speak their mother tongue in 2002. But he said that in 2004 the percentage rose 
to 13.8 percent. That he said is thanks to the establishment of the Council of 
Hakka Affairs and the launch of a TV channel that uses Hakka exclusively.
    
Lee said that the council has been trying to prevent Hakka language and culture 
from further waning while also helping to enrich the country's cultural 
diversity.

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