2007-03-30 19:02:27 · 8 answers · asked by krisel h 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Just a minority speaks Mandarin natively. The majority of Chinese speakers speak Min Nan natively. There is a minority who speak the native Taiwanese languages, which are not Chinese or even related to Chinese. They are the Austronesian languages Rukai, Atayal, Paiwan, Tsou, etc.
The "native" Chinese language of Taiwan is Min Nan. When the Communists took over the mainland, the island was "invaded" by refugees who spoke Mandarin. These refugees took over the island and imposed their language on the Min Nan and Austronesian population.
2007-03-30 20:28:15 · answer #1 · answered by Taivo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A form of Mandarin is the national language of Taiwan. Therefore, all educated people speak Mandarin, because it is what is taught at school. People who are "natives" speak Taiwanese as a native language, which is very different from Mandarin. However, in the capital city of Taibei, where the remnants of the invading army that escaped Mao took root, Mandarin is the primary and often the only language. Very few such people have any interest in learning the foreign language of Taiwanese. Since this invasion happened 50 years ago, most of these people were born in Taiwan, lived their entire lives in Taiwan, and speak only Mandarin.
2007-03-31 03:30:37 · answer #2 · answered by Fred 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, virtually everyone speaks Mandarin. It's the language of education and the government. They do, however, have a softer accent than Chinese do. Even if you go to China, most people will admit they like the Taiwanese accent better, although it is forbidden to use on programs such as the news (politics). However, if you use the Beijing dialect in Taiwan they might say you sound like an old woman
Most people, especially in the south also speak Taiwanese.
2007-03-31 02:25:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
They speak Taiwanese, a mixture of mandarin and the local dialect. It is a little different from the mandarin spoken in Beijing, but it is still mandarin.
2007-03-31 02:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by Chali 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, most of us can speak Mandarin.
2007-03-31 16:56:49 · answer #5 · answered by ssliao728 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no...
maybe some of them know how to speak mandarin. but mandarin is not their language
2007-03-31 02:06:08 · answer #6 · answered by lumbar 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes some of them do.
2007-03-31 02:05:56 · answer #7 · answered by Archangel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes and they read traditional characters not simplified.
2007-03-31 03:53:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋