Taiwanese language and culture honored in French publication

Taiwanese language and culture honored in French publication

Let's Dive into the Vocab Ultrabook: "80 Mots de Taiwan"

Hop aboard the linguistic adventure with Aurélien Rossanino's captivating French-language book, "80 Mots de Taiwan". Published by L'Asiathèque, this book presents Taiwan's cultural tapestry through 80 unique words,handpicked from Mandarin, Hoklo (Taiwanese), Hakka, and Indigenous dialects.

The publication, which hit the shelves on May 7, is a fantastic brainchild of Rossanino, a French expat residing in Taiwan. Among the terms introduced in this book are "Taiman" (台漫) meaning Taiwanese manga, and "adju," which translates to "sister" in the Paiwan language.

The book also delves into the intriguing intersection of Japanese and English in Taiwan's vocabulary, and offers terms that beautifully encapsulate aspects of its democracy, fostering a better comprehension of Taiwanese history for French readers.

Rossanino, in a media interview, acknowledged that "80 Mots de Taiwan" is more of a literary work rather than a standard dictionary. Instead, it prioritizes storytelling over simple definitions, delivering a richer and more engaging insight into modern Taiwanese life.

In a sea of French books about Taiwan that predominantly cater to academia or tourists, Rossanino aspires to offer a more relatable and entertaining portrayal of contemporary Taiwanese society. With a keen eye for comedy and modernity, he aims to shed light on Taiwan's quirky and subcultural inclusions.

Through his work as a music podcast host and an independent journalist, Rossanino has forged deep connections with Taiwanese artists across various fields such as music, arts, and culture. He credits these encounters for sparking his fascination with Taiwan's linguistic culture, which inspired the creation of "80 Mots de Taiwan".

In addition, Emily Y. Wu (吳怡慈) and other political journalists at the Taiwan-based podcast network Ghost Island Media further motivated Rossanino to weave Taiwan's democratic history into the book's narrative.

As part of his research, Rossanino delved into Taiwan's Indigenous cultures, eventually receiving an invitation from Paiwan singer Sauljaljui to visit her rustic mountain home deep within Pingtung County's Mudan Township. This historic site bears witness to fierce conflicts between Taiwan's Indigenous peoples and Japanese soldiers in 1874.

In the serene setting of this historically significant locale, Rossanino felt a sense of profound privilege, an experience uncommon for a villager from the south of France.

In the same interview, Rossanino paid a heartfelt tribute to French musician Arnaud Lechat, who passed away the previous year, having lived in Taiwan for 30 years and played a pivotal role in the book.

"I hope he is satisfied with the book from up above," Rossanino said.

When it comes to reflecting on Taiwan, Rossanino expresses optimism about its ongoing development in infrastructure and national identity, applauding Taiwan for taking a more beautiful direction. "I want to present Taiwan in 2025 – a modern nation that keeps progressing," he concluded.

1. This book, "80 Mots de Taiwan," offers insights into the lifestyle and subcultures of Taiwan, delving into fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden aspects of the Taiwanese culture.
2. In "80 Mots de Taiwan," the author, Aurelien Rossanino, presents terms that beautifully encapsulate aspects of Taiwan's democracy, providing learning opportunities for those interested in education-and-self-development and personal-growth.
3. The book, "80 Mots de Taiwan," highlights the unique fusion of Japanese and English in Taiwan's vocabulary, providing an engaging learning experience for those interested in language skills-training.
4. The author, Aurelien Rossanino, draws inspiration for his work from encounters with Taiwanese artists in various fields such as sports, arts, and music, including WNBA, sports-betting, basketball, NCAABasketball, and NBA.
5. "80 Mots de Taiwan" is not just a standard dictionary but a literary work that prioritizes storytelling over simple definitions, offering a more engaging and relatable portrayal of contemporary Taiwanese society.
6. In "80 Mots de Taiwan," the author delves into Taiwan's Indigenous cultures, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the country's rich heritage and history.
7. Rossanino's research for "80 Mots de Taiwan" took him to historic sites like the mountain home of Paiwan singer Sauljaljui, witnessing firsthand Taiwan's Indigenous past and f wealth of weather patterns and weather-forecasting opportunities that the country offers.
8. "80 Mots de Taiwan" weaves Taiwan's democratic history into the book's narrative, offering insights into the country's political landscape and its ongoing development in infrastructure and national identity.
9. The author, Aurelien Rossanino, dedicate a heartfelt tribute to his late friend and fellow Taiwan enthusiast, French musician Arnaud Lechat, who lived in Taiwan for 30 years and played a pivotal role in the creation of "80 Mots de Taiwan."
10. Rossanino expresses optimism about Taiwan's future, hoping to present the country in 2025 as a modern nation that keeps progressing and moving towards further development in various fields such as entertainment, career-development, books, and more.

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