Record 12,000 take Hokkien language test, foreign applicants hit 5-year high

Taiwan's Hokkien (Taiwanese Minnan) language proficiency test saw unprecedented interest this year, with 11,911 individuals registering for the examination. This figure represents a significant increase in participation, highlighting a growing enthusiasm for the language both domestically and internationally.

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Language is one of the most important ways to understand a place.

Notably, the number of foreign nationals taking the test reached a five-year high, with 23 participants hailing from nine different countries. These international test-takers came from diverse backgrounds, including India, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, and Vietnam, among others. Their motivations varied, from a desire to immerse themselves in Taiwanese culture to practical considerations like preparing for employment opportunities in Taiwan.

Participants spanned a wide age range, from a 6-year-old to an 81-year-old. Many foreign students, like Vineeth Jacob and Anlin Shaju from India currently studying at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, expressed a strong desire to understand Taiwanese culture more deeply and integrate into local life. Jacob specifically aims to use Hokkien to communicate better with colleagues if he works in Taiwan after graduation.

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I hope to communicate with colleagues in Hokkien in the future and build better interactive relationships.

Japanese participant Tomohiko Shinkai, who has been studying Hokkien for five years, traveled to Taiwan specifically to take the test. Inspired by Taiwanese culture and the works of the late linguist Wang Yu-teh, Shinkai now converses fluently in Hokkien and even hosts language exchange meetups in Tokyo. The test results are scheduled to be released on October 12, with certificates to be mailed starting November 2.

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I want to truly understand Taiwan, and I was inspired by friends and the works of the late Taiwanese linguist Wang Yu-teh.