(RE)IMAGINING TAIWAN THROUGH ＂2030 BILINGUAL NATION＂: LANGUAGES, IDENTITIES, AND IDEOLOGIES

Abstract

This paper examines the discursive construction of Taiwan`s envisioned identity as a Mandarin-English bilingual nation, encapsulated in its recent ＂2030 Bilingual Nation＂ policy. Through the lens of imagined community, this paper analyzes the blueprint for the policy to parse out the kinds of (international) ties the Taiwanese government is trying to forge for the nation and the role English plays in this top-down imagination. The findings highlight the dominance of English in the policy and show how these imagined national identities and bilingual strategies are constructed largely in relation to English as the language of the global economy. The analysis further identifies three prevalent discourses that help frame this top-down imagination, particularly the urgency for Taiwan to be English-proficient. Based on the findings, the paper warns against taking the value of English for granted, urges policy makers to take a critical and practical stance on the promotion of English, and provides implications for future research.