Taiwanese People - Definitions of Taiwanese

Definitions of Taiwanese

Although group identity is often claimed on the basis of race and culture, for Taiwanese specifically, it is held together by a common socio-political experience.(Corcuff 2000) Any connection Taiwanese may have with one another is purely subjective, based on the shared belief in a common destiny stemming from the very real parameters of daily life, including government, economy, education, popular culture and mass media (Anderson 1983; Hsiau 2000:10–14). Political leaders often attempt to manipulate and fix identities for political gain, by assigning an essentialist identity to a community.

Identities are not fixed, but fluid and change with time and memory or in response to a changing environment rather than stemming from a primordial or authentic source.(Bhabha 1994:1; Brown 2004:5). New identities are continually emerging based on individuals’ perceptions of commonalities and differences as the patterns of local communities, kinship and language pattern usage change with economic, cultural and demographic change, and on the national experience (Harrell 1996:5).

The word "Taiwanese people" has multiple meanings and can refer to one of the following:

• the various ethnic groups living or born in Taiwan, its minor islands, Penghu islands today etc.
• All citizens of the Republic of China. Those who hold the citizenship (nationality) of the Republic of China, not necessarily those based in Taiwan or Penghu, but also include those living in Kinmen, Matsu Islands and other ruling territory of the Republic of China
• Ancestors who before the Japanese rule of Taiwan had moved to the island of Taiwan, its minor islands, Penghu islands etc. This includes the ancient Yue people, Han-Chinese, Taiwanese aborigines as well as Dutch people. In addition, this includes Japanese migrants from Japan to Taiwan during the Japanese rule of Taiwan and their descendents today.
• People living outside Taiwan before or after 1949, but are of Taiwanese ancestry or descent, who may live in other territories such as People's Republic of China and do not necessarily hold the nationality of the Republic of China. They may not necessarily be born or live in Taiwan. Outside Taiwan, they are typically known as "Overseas Taiwanese" or "people of Taiwanese descent" ("taiyi 台裔", "tairen 台人")
• Besides the factors as above for consideration, whether one identify oneself as a Taiwanese, depends also on how a person and another person (predominantly those of kinship)'s self-identification. Consideration of sets of Values are important as well.