Author Says Huang's Use of Taiwanese is a Positive Sign for Language Education

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently hosted Taiwanese supply chain partners in Taipei, engaging with the public in fluent Taiwanese. This interaction has drawn attention to the cultural identity embedded in native languages. Author Hsiang Yang was invited to speak at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology.

Huang's return to Taiwan on the 23rd saw him interact with the public multiple times in Taiwanese, showcasing his warmth. A widely circulated video shows Huang eating an ice cream bar and praising it in Taiwanese as "hao jia (delicious)" to a child, who responded blankly. After an adult translated, the child replied in Mandarin. The parent then encouraged the child to communicate with Huang in English.

However, Huang's questions to the child, such as "You don't speak Taiwanese?" and "Say it for me to hear," followed by his advice, "You need to learn Taiwanese," have brought renewed attention to the importance of local languages.

Yang, invited to the "Voice of Formosa - Master Lecture Series on Local Languages" at Yunlin University of Science and Technology today, began his speech by discussing his background and journey in literature. He emphasized that Taiwanese poetry is a way of observing the land, understanding history, and feeling the lives of the people. His years of creative work aim to ensure that mother tongue literature continues to be passed down across generations.

Addressing reporters' questions about Huang's interactions, Yang stated that drawing public attention to Taiwanese language education is a very positive phenomenon. As an internationally prominent entrepreneur, Huang's numerous exchanges with the public in Taiwanese demonstrate his deep affection for Taiwan. However, he suggested that the focus should not be on the child, but rather on introspection within families and school education, emphasizing, "We must value our own language." He views the current discussion as a very positive development.

Vice President Chen Dazheng mentioned that the university has about 12,000 students. Since 2023, the Language Center has been promoting the Master Lecture Series on Local Languages, which has become a significant cultural brand for the school. Even in elective courses for local languages in vocational and university programs, more students are enrolling. Preliminary analysis indicates that at least 50% of students can apply these languages in their daily lives. Huang's natural interaction in Taiwanese with the public has sparked discussion, serving as a timely reminder that globally competitive talent needs not only professional knowledge but also an understanding of their own cultural roots. He hopes the lecture series will deepen students' understanding of the significant meaning of local languages.