TAINAN – LANGUAGE & PEOPLES

台灣 / 臺南市 – 語言 及 人物

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Location of the Island of Taiwan in East Asia
( ontheworldmap.com )
The Island of Taiwan
& Penghu, Kinmen & Matsu Islands
Also shown are:
Green Island ( Lu Dao ) & Orchid Island ( Lan Yu )
( cia.gov )

Location of Tainan on the Island of Taiwan
( wikipedia.org )

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Links to individual topics for TAINAN – LANGUAGE & PEOPLES

are displayed on this page in the following categories :

LANGUAGE – 語言

Links to culture of languages & peoples of Tainan

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Click here for the CloudBridge Project Home Page for Tainan

Click here for links to Culture for Tainan

Click here for links to Business for Tainan

Click here for links to Travel for Tainan

Click here for links to Environment & Nature of Tainan

For links to Languages & Peoples of Tainan . . . . .

. . . . . please continue to scroll down through this page

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TAINAN – 台灣 / 臺南市

LANGUAGE & PEOPLES – 語言 及 人物

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LANGUAGE – 語 言

THE MOST COMMONLY USED
LANGUAGE in the HOME – 2010
Blue: Mandarin Green: Hokkien
HOT PINK: Hakka
BURGUNDY: Austronesian Langauges
( wikipedia.org )

DISTRIBUTION of FORMOSAN LANGUAGES
before CHINESE COLONIZATION
( wikipedia.org )

% of RESIDENTS USING an
INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE
in the HOUSEHOLD – 2010
( wikipedia.org )

AREAS where HAKKA is the
STATUTORY REGIONAL LANGUAGE
( “HAKKA BASIC ACT” )
( wikipedia.org )

  • Languages in Tainan – 臺南市文化中語言的角色

  • Bilingual or even trilingual households are common in Tainan, with Mandarin spoken as the official language, Taiwanese (Hokkien) spoken for informal communication & occasional Hakka or an indigenous language spoken in specific communities. Language usage often correlates with age groups: older residents more frequently use Hokkien, whereas younger generations increasingly use Mandarin as their first language, though many still understand Hokkien. Informally, people—especially older generations—often default to Hokkien in daily conversations. In general, everyone has learned Mandarin & most people in the south of the Island of Taiwan can speak Taiwanese on top of Mandarin.

  • Taiwanese Hokkien is the most widely used language at home in Tainan, spoken by approximately 95.8% of residents aged 6 and above in 2010. Mandarin is also widely understood and used (about 71.7% of homes). There’s a burgeoning interest in reviving indigenous languages, especially Siraya—one of the island’s native tongues—giving it new life through education & cultural initiatives. Mandarin is the de facto official & primary language in schools, media & formal settings.

  • Most residents, including those in Tainan, are bilingual, often speaking Mandarin for public or formal communication & Hokkien at home or in casual contexts. Hakka is rarely spoken in Tainan. Data shows only about 0.5% use Hakka as their home language. Hakka communities are more concentrated in northern & certain southern counties, but not typically in Tainan.

  • A very small percentage (~0.3%) of the population in Tainan speaks an indigenous language at home. One notable indigenous language is Siraya which was once spoken widely in southwestern Taiwan (including on the Tainan Plain). The language became nearly extinct by the late 19th century but recent revitalization efforts are underway. Siraya is now being taught in about 20 schools across Tainan. Closely related languages—Taivoan and Makatao—are from the same Sirayaic group & may actually constitute distinct languages rather than dialects.

  • An interesting local creole known as “Banana colloquial speech” (Keng-chio-pe̍h-ōe) exists among plain indigenous hill communities in Tainan and Kaohsiung. It blends Hokkien with influences from Taivoan and has historical roots in the Japanese occupation era.

  • bbc.com – Tainan: The 400-year-old cradle of Taiwanese culture @ BBC website
  • wikipedia.org – Siraya language @ Wikipedia . org
  • imei.info – Languages Spoken in Taiwan That You Need to Know @ IMEI website
  • mice.meettaiwan.com – About Taiwan @ Taiwan MICE Promotion Program website. Sponsored by the International Trade Adinistration of the Republic of China

  • EASY SEARCH FOR MORE LINKS ! . . . . .
  • scholar.google.com – Languages in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中語言的角色 @ Google Scholar
  • youtube.com – Languages in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中語言的角色 @ YouTube . com
  • images.google.com – Languages in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中語言的角色 @ Google Images

PEOPLES – 族 群

Original geographic distributions of Taiwanese aboriginal peoples. Some groups are not formally recognized by the central government at the present time as authentic aboriginal groups, and some have been “assimilated” by the ethnic Han Chinese majority.
( wikipedia.org )

  • People Groups in Tainan – 臺南市文化中族群的角色

  • According to 2015 census data, Tainan had about 3,236 registered Plains Indigenous persons (1,858 women; 1,378 men) and 4,017 registered Mountain Indigenous persons (2,355 women; 1,662 men). Nationally, indigenous peoples make up only around 2.3% of the population.

  • “The majority Han ‘subethnicity’ in Taiwan is Hoklo (Taiwanese Minnan speaking) around 70%. This reflects the general cultural landscape in Tainan — overwhelmingly Hoklo in day-to-day life with small but vibrant indigenous reawakening among Plains Indigenous communities such as Siraya and Taivoan. The Hoklo (Minnan / Holo), who are speakers of Taiwanese Hokkien language, form the overwhelming majority in Tainan — as in many southern-western parts of Taiwan. It’s generally believed that the overwhelming majority of people in Chiayi, Tainan & Pingtung are Hoklo. Across Taiwan, Minnan-speaking people comprise approximately 70% of the population.

  • The Hakka are a distinct subgroup within Han Chinese, comprising around 15% of the national population. In Tainan, they are considerably fewer; the 2020 census of Tainan City records only 655 people who speak Hakka as their primary language. Waishengren (Mainlanders) are descendants from mainland China who arrived after 1945, making up about 12–14% nationally. In Tainan, Mandarin is widely spoken (848,399 people per 2020 data), often encompassing both Hoklo, Hakka & Waishengren groups.

  • Plains Indigenous Peoples (Pingpu) are Austronesian-speaking indigenous groups historically inhabiting Taiwan’s flat coastal plains — including Tainan. The Siraya are the primary plains indigenous group of Tainan. They traditionally settled the southwest plains including modern-day Madou, Jiali, Shanhua & Sinshih. Their cultural heritage remains strong: a Siraya Culture Association was established in 1999 & their reconstructed language began being taught & institutionalized starting in the early 2000s. Tainan was also the first local government to officially recognize the Siraya in 2005.

  • The Taivoan are another Plains Indigenous group in Tainan. Originally settled in areas like Anping and Yujing, they’ve been politically & culturally active in preserving their identity. They are considered one of the larger “non-status indigenous” groups, estimated over 20,000 people. The Tainan County government recognized the Taivoan at the county/local level, following Siraya, in more recent years

  • The Makatao historically occupied plains from Kaohsiung region northward & are linguistically and culturally connected to the Sirayaic group. Although not as prominent in Tainan today, they are part of the broader plains indigenous landscape & have been increasingly recognized in neighboring areas.

  • Hoanya, Lloa, Arikun are groups that are sometimes combined together as extinct or assimilated Plains Indigenous groups around Tainan. Hoanya once inhabited areas near Tainan but their language is now extinct. Lloa & Arikun peoples are closely related to Hoanya. some scholars & the groups themselves challenge the cobining of these distinct identities under one label.

  • taipeitimes.com – Pingpu Siraya people of Tainan are recognized under the Act for Indigenous Peoples @ Taipei Times . com
  • joshuaproject.net – MIn Nan Chinese (Holo) people of Taiwan @ Joshua Project . net
  • thediplomat.com – Siraya are officially recognized as Taiwan’s 17th Indigenous Group @ The Diplomat . com
  • smu.edu.sg – People groups of Tainan – backgrounder
  • movetotaiwan.com – Six reasons to skip Taipei and move to Tainan instead @ Move to Taiwan . com

  • EASY SEARCH FOR MORE LINKS ! . . . . .
  • scholar.google.com – People Groups in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中族群的角色 @ Google Scholar
  • youtube.com – People Groups in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中族群的角色 @ YouTube . com
  • images.google.com – People Groups in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中族群的角色 @ Google Images

ETHNIC MINORITIES – 少 數 民 族

Ethnic minorities in the culture of Taiwan
( bbc.co.uk )

  • Ethnic Minorities in Tainan – 臺南市文化中少數民族的角色

  • In Tainan County (now merged into Tainan City), most residents are Han Chinese (mainly Hoklo/Minnan), but there are several ethnic minority communities that give the region a more diverse cultural landscape.

  • Tainan is overwhelmingly Hoklo/Minnan, but its minority groups include Pingpu Indigenous peoples (especially Siraya and Taivoan), small Hakka and Waishengren communities, mountain Indigenous migrants, and new Southeast Asian immigrants. The Siraya and Taivoan, in particular, are central to Tainan’s cultural revival and identity today.

  • Plains Indigenous Peoples (Pingpu groups). These are Austronesian peoples who historically lived in the flatlands and coastal plains of southwestern Taiwan — including Tainan.

  • Siraya. Once the dominant indigenous group in the Tainan plains. Their language went dormant in the 19th century but is now undergoing revival: it’s being taught in local schools and promoted by cultural associations. In 2005, Tainan County was the first local government to officially recognize the Siraya, even though they are not yet recognized as an official “Indigenous People” by the central government.

  • Taivoan. Traditionally lived in Anping, Zuozhen, Yujing, and other areas.
    They were also displaced during Qing rule but maintain a distinct cultural identity today. Estimated population: 20,000+. Some Tainan villages have active Taivoan cultural associations and festivals.

  • Makatao, Hoanya, Lloa, Arikun. Other Pingpu groups that once lived in southern plains (including parts of Tainan). Many became assimilated into the Hoklo majority, though cultural revitalization efforts exist. These groups are sometimes referred to as “non-recognized Indigenous Peoples” (未被承認的原住民族).

  • Mountain Indigenous Peoples (Gaoshan groups). Although less historically concentrated in Tainan, modern migration has brought members of recognized mountain tribes into the city:

  • Amis, Bunun, Paiwan, Rukai, Atayal, and others. According to government figures (2015), Tainan had about 4,000 registered mountain indigenous people. Many moved for work or study, and form small communities in Tainan City.

  • Hakka. The Hakka are an ethnic subgroup of Han Chinese, distinct from Hoklo.
    In Tainan, their numbers are small: the 2020 census listed only 655 people who primarily spoke Hakka. They are much more concentrated in Miaoli, Hsinchu, and Kaohsiung than in Tainan.
  • Waishengren (Mainlanders). These are descendants of people who came from mainland China after 1945. They make up a minority in Tainan, but are more visible in larger cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. Their primary cultural marker is Mandarin, compared to Hoklo Taiwanese spoken by the local majority.

  • New Immigrant Communities. Since the 1990s, Tainan has seen a growing population of foreign spouses and migrant workers, particularly from:

  • Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Many work in manufacturing, caregiving, and fisheries. These groups add to the ethnic diversity of Tainan, though they are not always counted as “ethnic minorities” in the official Taiwanese sense.

  • hakka.gov.tw – Hakka Affairs Council of Taiwan – website
  • taiwantoday.tw – Taiwan History Museum opens in Tainan @ Taiwan Today . tw
  • kcg.gov.tw – Council for Hakka Affairs @ Kaohsiung City Government website
  • smu.edu.sg – Taiwan Profile @ Singapore Management University
  • cia.gov – Taiwan Profile @ CIA . gov
  • britannica.com – Taiwan Profile @ Encyclopedia Britannica
  • wikipedia.org – List of Indigenous Peoples of Taiwan @ Wikipedia . org

  • EASY SEARCH FOR MORE LINKS ! . . . .
  • scholar.google.com – Ethnic Minorities in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中少數民族的角色 @ Google Scholar
  • youtube.com – Ethnic Minorities in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中少數民族的角色 @ YouTube . com
  • images.google.com – Ethnic Minorities in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中少數民族的角色 @ Google Images

DEMOGRAPHICS – 人 口 分 布

Demographics of Taiwan
( tradingeconomics.com )

Residents per square km.
( wikiwand.com )

Population Pyramid for Taiwan in 2025
(Source: wikipedia.org )

  • Demographics of Tainan – 臺南市文化中人口分布的角色

  • Tainan County merged in 2010 with Tainan City into today’s Tainan Special Municipality.
  • Population :
  • Pre-merger Tainan County – in 2010 – had an estimated population of about 1.08 million people. Now as Tainan City (2024) the population is estimated at around 1.86 million people (urban + rural combined).
  • Tainan’s demographics show it as a predominantly Hoklo region, with small but culturally significant minorities (Siraya and Taivoan Plains Indigenous, Waishengren, Hakka, and newer Southeast Asian immigrants).
  • Population: ~1.8M (as of now, after merger).
  • Majority: Hoklo (~70–75%).
  • Minorities: Indigenous (~0.4% official, more in heritage), Hakka (<1%), Waishengren (~10–12%), Southeast Asian immigrants (growing).
  • Languages: Hokkien + Mandarin dominant; Siraya/Taivoan revival underway.
  • Religion: Folk Taoism + Buddhism is the strongest; Christian presence is tied to history.
  • Density varies :
  • Coastal plain districts (Anping, Yongkang, Rende) → denser, more urban.
  • Inland and eastern districts (Zuozhen, Nanhua) → rural, lower density.

  • Ethnic Composition. Like the rest of southern Taiwan, the Hoklo (Minnan / Holo) form the overwhelming majority:

  • Hoklo (Taiwanese Minnan people): ~70–75%. Speak Taiwanese Hokkien (Taiyu) at home, widely used in daily life.

  • Hakka: <1%. Very small presence in Tainan compared to Hsinchu, Miaoli, or Kaohsiung.

  • Waishengren (Mainlanders): Small minority. Descendants of post-1945 migrants from mainland China.

  • Indigenous peoples: ~0.4% of population officially registered, but historically much higher.

  • Siraya (Pingpu Plains Indigenous) are the most notable local group.

  • Taivoan, Makatao, Hoanya, Lloa also historically present. Officially unrecognized by the central government, but Tainan City recognizes Siraya and Taivoan.

  • Mountain tribes (Amis, Bunun, Paiwan, etc.) live in the city today due to work and migration (~4,000 people).

  • New immigrants (since 1990s): Growing population from Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand. Often foreign spouses or migrant workers.

  • Languages :

  • Taiwanese Hokkien (Taiyu) → Dominant everyday language.

  • Mandarin Chinese (Guoyu) → Official and taught in schools; widely spoken across generations.

  • Hakka → Tiny minority in Tainan (~655 speakers in 2020 survey).

  • Indigenous languages (Siraya, Taivoan) → Largely dormant historically, but now being revitalized through education and cultural programs.

  • Southeast Asian languages (Vietnamese, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai) → Spoken in immigrant communities.

  • Religion & Culture :

  • Folk religion & Taoism dominate.

  • Tainan is often called the “capital of temples”, with thousands of temples across the city. The Tainan Confucius Temple (built in 1665) is Taiwan’s oldest.

  • Buddhism: Widespread, often blended with folk practices.

  • Christianity: Small but historic presence; Dutch missionaries in Tainan (1620s–1640s) converted many Siraya. Some Protestant and Catholic churches remain active.

  • Other traditions: Local deities (Mazu, Wang Ye, Cheng Huang) are deeply tied to community life.

  • Urban vs. Rural Divide :

  • Urban core: Tainan City proper, Yongkang, East District → modern industries, universities, larger Waishengren and immigrant populations.

  • Rural areas: Plains towns and inland villages → more traditional lifestyles, higher use of Taiwanese Hokkien, stronger Indigenous cultural presence (Siraya/Taivoan in Madou, Zuozhen, Yujing, etc.).

  • EASY SEARCH FOR MORE LINKS ! . . . . .
  • scholar.google.com – Demographics in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中人口分布的角色 @ Google Scholar . com
  • youtube.com – Demographics in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中人口分布的角色 @ YouTube . com
  • images.google.com – Demographics in the culture of Tainan – 臺南市文化中人口分布的角色 @ Google Images

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Click here for the CloudBridge Project Home Page for Tainan

Click here for links to Culture for Tainan

Click here for links to Business for Tainan

Click here for links to Travel for Tainan

Click here for links to Environment & Nature of Tainan

For links to Languages & Peoples of Tainan . . . . .

. . . . . please scroll up through this page

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LATEST PAGE UPDATE: November 02 , 2025
最後一次更新時間為:  2025 / 11 / 02

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