泰雅語的語言活力與語言復振──以司馬庫斯及竹東為例

Language Vitality and Language Revitalization of the Atayal in Taiwan: The Cases of Smangus and Chutung

本文探討司馬庫斯及竹東泰雅語的活力及語言復振，研究問題為：（1）運用聯合國的語言活力評估因素，評估司馬庫斯及竹東泰雅語的語言活力；（2）分析司馬庫斯及竹東泰雅語活力不同的成因；（3）運用Fishman的「逆轉語言轉移」理論，分析兩地泰雅語趨近Fishman「世代斷層分級表」的哪一個等級，據以探討有效的語言復振方案。研究方法為參與觀察法及深度訪談。研究結果顯示兩地在聯合國語言活力評估中的四個因素評估結果不同，因此所需採取的語言復振策略也各異。司馬庫斯泰雅語相當於Fishman「世代斷層分級表」的第六級，其需要訓練族人讀寫的能力；竹東泰雅語趨近第七級，急需讓族語恢復世代溝通的功能。

This paper investigates language vitality and language revitalization of the Atayal of Smangus and Chutung. The research topics are: (1)applying United Nations language vitality evaluation factors to evaluate multiple facets of the vitality of Smangus and Chutung Atayal; (2)analyzing the reasons which cause language vitality differences between Smangus and Chutung Atayal; (3)applying Fishman's theory of “Reversing Language Shift” to assess which level of Fishman's Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale the Smangus and Chutung Atayal approach and investigate effective language revitalization strategies. Research methodology consisted primarily of participation in and observation of in-depth interviews. Research results revealed that Smangus ranked level six in Fishman's Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale, suggesting a need to teach reading and writing skills to the tribes' people. The Atayal of Chutung approaches level seven, the key aspect of this level of language revitalization being the recovery of intergenerational communication.