| 英文摘要 |
In Taiwan, western theories such as postmodernism, postcolonial theory, psychoanalysis, queer theory, feminist theory, theory of modernity, and theory of globalization have been rapidly translated and appropriated. But as R. L. Chen points out, we rarely discuss whether stylized application or assemblage of western theories has formed a family or genealogy of theories, and whether the latter has become visible in the international academic scene. This article argues that, in addition to Chen’s concern, we should also pay attention to how theories are translated, appropriated, and reproduced, how they are grafted onto existing discourses (also a kind of theories) in Taiwan, and whether there is wrong use, abuse, or inadequacy of application in the process of knowledge production. Around the time of the lifting of the martial law, theories were often accepted because of their progressiveness in challenging the institutions, offering possibilities of reinterpreting the past, and opening up a new future. Nevertheless, we still need to look into the appropriateness of applying theories, given the differences in historical context and socio-political and economic conditions. Using Taiwan’s postcolonial and queer discourses in the 1990s as a case study, this article examines Taiwan theory and knowledge production. By probing into the internal debates and development of each discourse as well as the tension between these discourses, I will dwell on the appropriateness of applying postcolonial and queer theories within Taiwan’s context on the one hand, and discuss Taiwan families of postcolonial and queer theories that have emerged on the other. |
