Wang Yude: Taiwanese language pioneer and exile on a quest for self-determination

Wang Yu-de was a pioneer in Taiwanese language research and the Taiwan independence movement. Although he received a Japanese colonial education in his early years, he studied linguistics at a Japanese university, developing a deep interest in the phonology and vocabulary of the Southern Min language. Following the end of World War II, Wang was forced to flee Taiwan and go into exile in Japan due to his involvement in local Taiwanese political movements. During his exile, he not only continued to academically collect and organize oral Taiwanese language materials—publishing foundational works such as "Introduction to Taiwanese Phonology"—but also used his pen as a weapon to write political essays, calling for self-determination and national identity for the people of Taiwan. At the time, his research filled a void in Taiwan's linguistic academia, providing precious primary sources and methodologies for future language revival movements.

Wang's years in Japan also witnessed the plight of Taiwanese soldiers who had served in the Japanese military. After the end of World War II, thousands of Taiwanese who had served in Japan were abandoned due to status issues, unable to obtain the severance pay and compensation they were due. Acting in the capacity of a lawyer, Wang represented them in related lawsuits, submitting compensation claims to the Japanese government and speaking out in international forums to emphasize the unique position of Taiwanese people in the history of the Japanese Empire. Although full compensation was ultimately not secured, his efforts raised awareness in societies across the Taiwan Strait regarding post-war lingering issues and laid a humanitarian foundation for future civic exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.

Today, Wang's daughter, Wang Ming-li, held a book launch seminar in Tokyo for her new publication, "The Exile from Taiwan: Wang Yu-de's Pride," introducing her father's life and ideology to Japanese readers. Conducted in Japanese, the seminar not only expounded upon Wang Yu-de's contributions to linguistics but also deeply explored his role in Taiwan's democratic and independence movements. Wang Ming-li pointed out that her father's "pride" was not only an insistence on personal dignity, but also a safeguard of national culture. She expressed hope that the book would allow more Japanese citizens to understand the diverse dimensions of Taiwan's history and promote dialogue between the two countries on cultural and human rights issues.

Toward the end of the presentation, Wang Ming-li's granddaughter took the stage to conduct a brief Taiwanese language class for the Japanese audience in attendance. Using simple greetings and everyday vocabulary as demonstrations, she explained the tonal and phonetic characteristics of the Taiwanese language and shared her own experience of growing up in Japan while retaining her Taiwanese linguistic roots. This segment not only highlighted the cross-generational power of language transmission but also reflected the contemporary trend of young overseas Taiwanese seeking their roots. Through the practical instruction, participants felt that the Taiwanese language is not merely a medium of speech, but a carrier of historical memory and identity.

Wang Yu-de's story remains inspiring today. With the vigorous development of Taiwan's native language revival movement, the government and civil organizations continue to promote Taiwanese language education, the compilation of teaching materials, and its use in public spaces. Wang's early academic foundations and political assertions have provided a historical basis and theoretical support for these policies. Meanwhile, his actions in Japan to secure compensation for Taiwanese veterans also serve as a reminder for people to pay attention to lingering post-war historical justice. The cross-generational transmission by Wang Ming-li and her granddaughter symbolizes the continuous revitalization and reconstruction of Taiwanese culture in a globalized context. In the future, combining academic research with public education will help more international friends understand Taiwan's linguistic diversity and democratic spirit.