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TW

Taiwan, Province of China. Also referred to as Republic of China

China–Taiwan

Summary

Official Name
Taiwan, Province of China. Also referred to as Republic of China
Population
23,581,000
Principal Languages
Mandarin Chinese
Literacy Rate
99% (2014 World Factbook)
General References
Li 1990, Sebeok 1971, Tryon 1995, Tsuchida 1976, Wurm 2000, Wurm 2007, Wurm and Hattori 1981
Deaf Population
104,000 (2004)
Language Counts
The number of established languages listed for China–Taiwan is 29. Of these, 25 are living and 4 are extinct. Of the living languages, 21 are indigenous and 4 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 4 are institutional, 1 is developing, 9 are in trouble, and 11 are dying. Also listed are 7 unestablished languages.

Languages

Amis ami
Hualien and Taitung counties: valley plains and east coast. Users: 108,000 (2015 CIP). Ethnic population: 214,000 (2020 CIP). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ami, Amia, Bakurut, Lam-Si-Hoan, Maran, Pagcah, Pangcah, Pangtsah, Sabari, Tanah Autonym: Amis Classification: Austronesian, East Formosan, Central
Atayal tay
Hualien and Taitung counties. Users: 10,000 (2008 UNESCO). Ethnic population: 92,100 (2020 CIP). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Ataiyal, Attayal, Bonotsek, Shabogala, Taijyal, Taiyal, Takonan, Tangao, Tyal, Yukan Autonym: Tayal Classification: Austronesian, Atayalic
Babuza bzg
Changhua county: west central coast and inland, Tatu and Choshui rivers and beyond. Users: No known L1 speakers. Survived into the 2000s. Ethnic population: 35. Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Babusa, Favorlang, Favorlang-Babuza, Favorlangsch, Jaborlang, Poavosa, Sprache von Formosa Classification: Austronesian, Western Plains, Central Western Plains
Basay byq
New Taipei Municipality. Users: No known L1 speakers (Liu 2007). The last fluent speaker probably died by the 1910s. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Basai, Basay-Trobiawan, Kawanuwan, Ketangalan, Sprache von Formosa Classification: Austronesian, East Formosan, Northern
Bunun bnn
Hualien county, Zhuoxi and Wanrong townships; Nantou county, Renai and Xinyi townships; and Taitung county, Yanping and Haiduan townships. Users: 38,000 (CIP-EY 2002). Ethnic population: 59,500 (2020 CIP). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Bubukun, Bunan, Bunti, Bunum, Vonun, Vunum, Vunun, Vunung Autonym: Bunun Classification: Austronesian, Bunun
Chinese, Hakka hak
Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, Miaoli, Pingtung, and Taoyuan counties; New Taipei Municipality. Users: 4,240,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc). Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Chinese, Mandarin cmn
Major cities. Users: 19,580,000 in China–Taiwan, all users. L1 users: 4,580,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 15,000,000. Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Alternate Names: Mandarin Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Chinese, Min Nan nan
Widespread: east coast cities, western plain. Users: 13,500,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc). Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of provincial identity in Taiwan. Alternate Names: Bân-lâm-gú, Min Nan, Minnan, Taiwanese Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
English eng
Users: 15,300 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality. Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Indonesian ind
Users: 239,000 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Chamic, Malayic, Malay
Japanese jpn
Users: 14,100 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Classification: Japonic
Kanakanabu xnb
Kaohsiung county: Sanmin township, Minchuan village area. Users: 4 (2012 P. Jen-Kuei). A few other semi-speakers who have passive knowledge of the language (2012 P. Jen-Kuei). Ethnic population: 360 (2020 CIP). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Kanabu, Kanakana Fu, Kanakanavu Classification: Austronesian, Tsouic
Kavalan ckv
Yilan county: above Toucheng to Ilan and inland; migrants on east coast in Hualien county: Fengpin township, Hsishe village. Users: 70 (2015 CIP). Ethnic population: 1,490 (2020 CIP). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Cabaran, Kabalan, Kabaran, Kamalan, Kavanan, Kavarauan, Kibalan, Kiwaraw, Kiwarawa, Kuvalan, Kuvarawan, Kuwarawan, Kvalan, Shekwan Autonym: Kbalan Classification: Austronesian, East Formosan, Northern
Ketangalan kae
New Taipei Municipality: Panchiao area. Users: No known L1 speakers. Probably extinct by mid 20th century. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Ketagalan, Ketangalano, Sprache von Formosa, Tangalan Classification: Austronesian, Unclassified
Korean kor
Users: 4,200 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Koreanic
Kulon uon
Taoyuan county. Users: No known L1 speakers. Last speaker likely died in the 1940s. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Kulun Classification: Austronesian, Northwest Formosan
Malay zlm
Users: 15,800 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Chamic, Malayic, Malay
Paiwan pwn
Pingtung and Taitung counties: mountains southeast. Users: 15,000 (2008 UNESCO). Ethnic population: 103,000 (2020 CIP). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Butanglu, Kadas, Kale-Whan, Kapiangan, Katausan, Li-Li-Sha, Paiuan, Payowan, Samobi, Samohai, Saprek, Stimul, Tamari, Vinuculjan Autonym: Pinayuanan Classification: Austronesian, Paiwan
Papora-Hoanya ppu
Taichung Municipality. Users: No known L1 speakers. The last speaker survived into the 1980s (Tsuchida 1982). Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Bupuran, Hinapavosa, Hoanya, Papola, Papora, Sprache von Formosa, Vupuran Classification: Austronesian, Western Plains, Central Western Plains
Pazeh pzh
Miaoli and Nantou counties; Taichung Municipality. Users: 2 (Jen-kuei Li 2013). Pazeh dialect is extinct. Only known speakers use Kaxabu dialect (Jen-kuei Li 2013). Ethnic population: 6,000 (2021 S. Yu-Hsiang Pan). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Bazehai, Kulon-Pazeh, Pazeh-Kahabu, Pazeh-Kaxabu, Pazehe, Pazih, Pazzehe, Sprache von Formosa Autonym: Pazeh Classification: Austronesian, Northwest Formosan
Puyuma pyu
Taitung county: southeast coast and inland. Users: 1,000 (Teng 2008). Ethnic population: 14,500 (2020 CIP). About 6,800 still reside in the Taitung area (Teng 2008). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Beinan, Kadas, Panapanayan, Pelam, Pilam, Piyuma, Pyuma, Tipun Autonym: Pinuyumayan Classification: Austronesian, Puyuma
Rukai dru
Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung counties: west of Taitung city, 13 or 14 villages in south central mountains. Users: 2,000 (2008 UNESCO). Some monolingual older adults. Ethnic population: 13,500 (2020 CIP). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Banga, Bantalang, Bantaurang, Drekay, Drukai, Drukay, Dukai, Dyokay, Kadas, Rutkai, Sarisen, Taloma, Tsalisen, Tsarisen Classification: Austronesian, Rukai
Saaroa sxr
Kaohsiung county: enclave south and southeast of Minchuan, along Laonung river in west central mountains. Users: 25 (2015 CIP). Ethnic population: 410 (2020 CIP). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Hla’alua, La Aluwa, La’alua, La’arua, Lha’alua, Pachien, Paichien, Rarua, Saarua, Saroa, Shishaban, Sisyaban Classification: Austronesian, Tsouic
Saisiyat xsy
Miaoli county: Nanchuang and Shihtan townships; Hsinchu county: Wufeng township. Western mountains. Users: 2,000 (2015 CIP). Tungho: more active use. Taai: a few speakers; nearly assimilated into Atayal [tay]. Ethnic population: 6,730 (2020 CIP). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Amutoura, Bouiok, Saiset, Saisett, Saisiat, Saisiett, Saisirat, Saisyet, Saisyett, Saixia, Seisirat Autonym: SaySiyat Classification: Austronesian, Northwest Formosan
Sakizaya szy
Hualien county. Users: 590 (2020 L. Hung). Ethnic population: 990 (2020 CIP). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Kizaya, Qilai, Sakezhaye, Sakidaya, Sakiray, Sakiraya, Sukizaya Autonym: Sakizaya Classification: Austronesian, East Formosan, Central
Sediq trv
Hualien county: inland from coast; Nantou county; Yunlin county: small area in Nan’ao township. Central mountains. Users: 650 (2015 CIP). Ethnic population: 42,800 (2020 CIP). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Bu-Hwan, Che-Hwan, Daiya-Ataiyal, Hogo, Iboho, Saediq, Sazek, Sedek, Sedeq, Sediakk, Sedik, Seedakka, Seedek, Seedeq, Seedik, Sejiq, Shedekka, Taroko, Taruku, Toda, Toroko Autonym: Seediq Classification: Austronesian, Atayalic
Siraya fos
Tainan Municipality: Hengchun to Peimen to Tapu. Users: No known L1 speakers. No fluent native speakers since 1908. Some older semi-speakers (2008 C. Huang). Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Baksa, Formosan, Sideia, Sideis, Sideisch, Sinccan, Sinckan, Siraia, Siraiya, Sirayaic, “Pepo-Hwan” (pej.), “Pepohoan” (pej.) Autonym: Siraya Classification: Austronesian, East Formosan, Southwest
Tagalog tgl
Users: 149,000 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Tagalog
Taivoan tvx
Kaohsiung city; Hualien county. Users: No known L1 speakers. The last known speaker died near the end of the 1800s. Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Taivuan, Tevorang, Tevorangh Autonym: Taivoan Classification: Austronesian, East Formosan, Southwest
Taiwan Sign Language tss
Scattered. Users: 24,000 (2021), decreasing. Estimated 24,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.1% of total population. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Taiwan Shouyu, Taiwan Ziran Shouyu Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Thai tha
Users: 64,800 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Thao ssf
Nantou county: Sun Moon Lake southeast shore, Te-hua village, and Ta-p’ing-lin, 14 km away. Users: 4 (2021 Center for Aboriginal Studies). Also some semi-speakers (2021 E. Zeitoun). Ethnic population: 820 (2020 CIP). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Caw a lalawa, Chui-Huan, Chuihwan, Sao, Sau, Shao, Suihwan, Vulung Autonym: Thaw a lalawa Classification: Austronesian, Western Plains, Thao
Tibetan bod
Users: 2,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central
Tsou tsu
Chiayi county: Alishan (Mt. Ali) area; Kaohsiung county: northwest and central; Nantou county: south central. Users: 4,000 (Zeitoun 2005). Ethnic population: 6,700 (2020 CIP). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Cou, Namakaban, Niitaka, Tibola, Tibolah, Tibolak, Tibolal, Tso, Tsoo, Tsu-U, Tsu-Wo, Tsuou, Tzo Classification: Austronesian, Tsouic
Vietnamese vie
Users: 194,000 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Vietnamese
Yami tao
Taitung county: Botel Tobago (Lanyu) island, Orchid island, southeast coast. Users: 4,000 (Vondiziano 2019). Ethnic population: 4,680 (2020 CIP). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Botel Tabago, Botel Tobago, Dawu, Lanyu, Tao, Tawu Autonym: Ciriciring no tao, Pongso no Tao Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Bashiic, Yami

Languages by Status

    Chinese, Mandarin
    [cmn] 1 (National). De facto national language. 19,580,000 in China–Taiwan, all users. L1 users: 4,580,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 15,000,000.
    Chinese, Min Nan
    [nan] 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of provincial identity in Taiwan. 13,500,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc).
    Chinese, Hakka
    [hak] 4 (Educational). 4,240,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc).
    English
    [eng] 4 (Educational). 15,300 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality.
    Bunun
    [bnn] 5* (Developing). 38,000 (CIP-EY 2002). Ethnic population: 59,500 (2020 CIP).
    Amis
    [ami] 6b* (Threatened). 108,000 (2015 CIP). Ethnic population: 214,000 (2020 CIP).
    Paiwan
    [pwn] 6b (Threatened). 15,000 (2008 UNESCO). Ethnic population: 103,000 (2020 CIP).
    Rukai
    [dru] 6b (Threatened). 2,000 (2008 UNESCO). Some monolingual older adults. Ethnic population: 13,500 (2020 CIP).
    Taiwan Sign Language
    [tss] 6b (Threatened). 24,000 (2021), decreasing. Estimated 24,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.1% of total population.
    Tsou
    [tsu] 6b (Threatened). 4,000 (Zeitoun 2005). Ethnic population: 6,700 (2020 CIP).
    Yami
    [tao] 6b (Threatened). 4,000 (Vondiziano 2019). Ethnic population: 4,680 (2020 CIP).
    Atayal
    [tay] 7 (Shifting). 10,000 (2008 UNESCO). Ethnic population: 92,100 (2020 CIP).
    Saisiyat
    [xsy] 7 (Shifting). 2,000 (2015 CIP). Tungho: more active use. Taai: a few speakers; nearly assimilated into Atayal [tay]. Ethnic population: 6,730 (2020 CIP).
    Sakizaya
    [szy] 7 (Shifting). 590 (2020 L. Hung). Ethnic population: 990 (2020 CIP).
    Puyuma
    [pyu] 8a (Moribund). 1,000 (Teng 2008). Ethnic population: 14,500 (2020 CIP). About 6,800 still reside in the Taitung area (Teng 2008).
    Sediq
    [trv] 8a (Moribund). 650 (2015 CIP). Ethnic population: 42,800 (2020 CIP).
    Japanese
    [jpn] 8b (Nearly extinct). 14,100 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality.
    Kanakanabu
    [xnb] 8b (Nearly extinct). 4 (2012 P. Jen-Kuei). A few other semi-speakers who have passive knowledge of the language (2012 P. Jen-Kuei). Ethnic population: 360 (2020 CIP).
    Kavalan
    [ckv] 8b (Nearly extinct). 70 (2015 CIP). Ethnic population: 1,490 (2020 CIP).
    Pazeh
    [pzh] 8b (Nearly extinct). 2 (Jen-kuei Li 2013). Pazeh dialect is extinct. Only known speakers use Kaxabu dialect (Jen-kuei Li 2013). Ethnic population: 6,000 (2021 S. Yu-Hsiang Pan).
    Saaroa
    [sxr] 8b (Nearly extinct). 25 (2015 CIP). Ethnic population: 410 (2020 CIP).
    Thao
    [ssf] 8b (Nearly extinct). 4 (2021 Center for Aboriginal Studies). Also some semi-speakers (2021 E. Zeitoun). Ethnic population: 820 (2020 CIP).
    Babuza
    [bzg] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. Survived into the 2000s. Ethnic population: 35.
    Siraya
    [fos] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. No fluent native speakers since 1908. Some older semi-speakers (2008 C. Huang).
    Taivoan
    [tvx] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. The last known speaker died near the end of the 1800s.
    Basay
    [byq] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers (Liu 2007). The last fluent speaker probably died by the 1910s.
    Ketangalan
    [kae] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Probably extinct by mid 20th century.
    Kulon
    [uon] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Last speaker likely died in the 1940s.
    Papora-Hoanya
    [ppu] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker survived into the 1980s (Tsuchida 1982).
    Indonesian
    [ind] Unestablished. 239,000 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality.
    Korean
    [kor] Unestablished. 4,200 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality.
    Malay
    [zlm] Unestablished. 15,800 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality.
    Tagalog
    [tgl] Unestablished. 149,000 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality.
    Thai
    [tha] Unestablished. 64,800 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality.
    Tibetan
    [bod] Unestablished. 2,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc).
    Vietnamese
    [vie] Unestablished. 194,000 in China–Taiwan (2018 census), based on nationality.

Maps

  • Taiwan

Graphs

  • Language Vitality Profile

  • Language Status Profile

Resources

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