Hakka

As introduced by the Yearbook of the Republic of China:

The Hakka language developed later than Minnanese but earlier than Mandarin. It has two main divisions: Sihsian, which is considered the standard Hakka language; and Hailu, which has been strongly influenced by Minnanese.

There are about four million Hakka in Taiwan, but many young people can no longer speak fluently in their mother tongue. Therefore, the Council for Hakka Affairs (CHA) was established under the Executive Yuan in June 2001 to preserve the Hakka language and revitalize Hakka culture. That same month, the Research and Development Association on Formosan Language and Culture became operational in Hsinchu County, which has a high concentration of ethnic Hakka. The association works on projects such as compiling Hakka language textbooks, training Hakka language teachers, operating Hakka broadcasting study centers, and hosting various Hakka arts and cultural events. It oversaw the establishment of Hakka Television in July 2003 and, in November 2003, sponsored the World Hakka Culture Conference in Kaohsiung to discuss Hakka ethnicity and the formation of international non-governmental organizations for the Hakka people.

In addition to Mandarin, primary school students learn English as Taiwan works to develop a bilingual environment. As in the case of Minnanese, the MOE also sponsors research on Hakka. In addition, recent private efforts saw the publication in 2002 of a Hakka dictionary containing over 20,000 words and terms with both the Sihsian and Hailu pronunciations romanized in Tongyong Pinyin.