Taipei, June 15 (CNA) A proposal to make Hakka an official language in addition to Mandarin was passed by the Executive Yuan Thursday, representing a major step in propagating and spreading the language in Taiwan.
In order to enhance the development of the Hakka language and culture, the amended draft of the Hakka Basic Act also stipulates that the government should provide incentives or subsidies for Hakka-language development foundations, and encourage local institutions to establish degree programs as a way to develop and promote the language.
The amended draft also allows the government to provide incentives or subsidies for foundations dedicated to producing television and radio programs related to the Hakka language and culture.
The draft bill will now go to a Legislative Yuan committee for review.
Meanwhile that day, in an further effort to promote the Hakka language and culture, Hakka Affairs Council chief Lee Yung-te said a Hakka-oriented radio station called Hakka Radio will soon be launched with the purpose of fostering the Hakka ethnic group's access to media and boosting cultural development.
Although Hakka Radio will be launched as a national radio station, Lee said the long-term goal will be to pass down the radio's ownership to a Hakka public communications foundation in the near future.
