The Council of Indigenous Peoples attended the review of the Amendments to Certain Provisions of the Name Act at the Internal Administration Committee today (5th). The review resolved to add a provision allowing "Taiwan's indigenous peoples, when registering their traditional names according to their cultural customs, to use indigenous languages." The committee has completed the review, and the amendment awaits the third reading in the Legislative Yuan.
Allowing indigenous traditional names to be presented solely in indigenous languages can accurately convey the pronunciation of the names, enhance cultural identity, and aid in the transmission of various tribes' naming cultures and systems. This change aligns with the longstanding expectations of indigenous peoples.
The Indigenous Languages Development Act explicitly states that indigenous languages are national languages. Indigenous languages refer to the writing systems used to record the languages of indigenous peoples. Furthermore, the Development of National Languages Act stipulates that "All national languages shall be equal; nationals using a national language shall not be discriminated against or face restrictions." Registering traditional indigenous names in indigenous languages alone highlights the equal status of these languages.
Sources: Council of Indigenous Peoples
