Understanding ethnic visibility through language use

The case of Taiwan Hakka

Bibliographic Data

ID6040189
AuthorsHuei-Ling Lai (0000-0003-3427-7035), Huei‐ling Lai (0000-0001-6450-8629, National Chengchi University, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume18
Issue3
Pages406-423
Publication date2017-07-03
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAsian Ethnicity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1463-1369 • E-ISSN: 1469-2953
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14631369.2016.1171130
OpenAlexW2322674208
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited16

This study investigates how the ethnic visibility of Taiwan Hakka is improved through language use. The usage of a unique Hakka symbolic code is focused on. Based on data from the four Taiwan major newspapers, an analysis with text techniques shows that the code emerges along with social-political developments in Taiwan, with its meaning turning from negative to positive connotation. Its frequency is highly correlated with major political events in Taiwan, with peaks during the two or three years before presidential elections. It illustrates semiotic innovation, extending from Hakka to Hakka non-human, to non-Hakka, and to non-Hakka non-human frames. The salient image it creates increases Hakka ethnic visibility and enhances their ethnic identity. A significant implication is that minority ethnic groups can employ a unique symbolic code, empowering it with positive connotation. Through extensive language use, its representation can raise their ethnic visibility and enhance their ethnic identity

Aesthetics · Connotation · Ethnic group · Geography · Linguistics · Media studies · Newspaper · Political science · Politics · Salient · Semiotics · Sociology · Visibility · Anthropology · Discourse Analysis in Language Studies · Gender Studies · Law · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philippine History and Culture

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