Hakka-Minnan Cultural Studies Forum

(Second from left) Prof Huang, (middle from left) Dr Lee, Prof Hsiao, Dr Chong, and (far right) Dr Lim

A forum on Hakka and Minnan Cultural Studies organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) was held in KB003 at Sungai Long Campus on 27 August 2015.

Visitors from Taiwan were National Kaohsiung Normal University,Graduate Institute of Hakka Culture Studies Director Dr Lee Leong Sze, Institute Sociology, Academia Sinica Prof Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao, National United University, College of Hakka Studies Prof Huang Shi-Min, National Chi Nan University, Department of Southeast Asian Studies Dr Khay-Thiong Lim and a number of their students. Present to welcome the guests were UTAR ICS staff including Dean Dr Chong Siou Wei,Deputy Dean Dr Tee Boon Chuan, Department of Chinese Studies (Sg Long Campus) Head Dr Chin Chong Foh, Dr Liau Ping Leng, Dr Pua Shiau Chen, Dr Cui Yan, Tiong Ee Ping, and Faculty of Creative Industries, Centre for Social Change and Trends Chairperson Dr Wu Ming Chu.

Dr Chong first welcomed all professors, lecturers and students from the various institutions of Taiwan. “UTAR’s Institute of Chinese Studies is the largest nationwide as it has the highest student enrolment in its programs and also the most teaching staff. However, UTAR hasn’t offered any Hakka or Minnan related courses yet but certain lecturers’ studies involve Hakka or Minnan topics, so these lecturers guide their students in the studies of the topics”. Dr Chong also hoped that the meeting this time would spur more opportunities of cooperation with Taiwanese universities in the study of Hakka and Minnan (Hokkien) cultures.

Prof Huang highlighted that Taiwanese culture has been becoming increasingly diversified as a result of the influx of brides from countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Myanmar. “International marriage has stirred up the cultural diversity in Taiwan and hence, it has also contributed to the liveliness of the local language mix and the ways people think.” Prof Huang added, “There are some slight differences between the Chinese community in Malaysia and Taiwan. There are very few clan associations in Taiwan, whereas I found them to be very common in Malaysia.”

Prof Hsiao, in his speech, emphasized the importance of developing the interest in Hakka and Minnan cultures, especially among the younger generations to sustain the great cultural heritage from their own ancestral homelands. “There should be awareness as to how to promote the usage of dialects among the youth these days so as to uphold the longevity of these languages,” mentioned Prof Hsiao.

The forum came to an end with an open discussion regarding the Hakka and Minnan cultural development in Malaysia and Taiwan.

Prof Hsiao stating the importance of sustaining the dialects