Kaohsiung 228: A Taiwanese Hokkien Picture Book - Author's Signed Edition

Kaohsiung 228: A Taiwanese Hokkien Picture Book - Author's Signed Edition Author: Wu Jia-ming Illustrator: Li Yi-zhi Publisher: Tai-gi Communications Enterprise Co., Ltd. Publication Date: September 2020 Price: NT$450 Specifications: Hardcover / 66 pages / 25.7 x 18.2cm / General Audience / Full Color / First Edition Publication Place: Taiwan Story Introduction The picture book begins with the author describing Taiwanese people's hopes and subsequent disappointment with the Republic of China. The narrative then shifts to an incident in Taipei, where accumulated dissatisfaction among Taiwanese people towards the government erupts, leading to conflict that quickly spreads across the island. Kaohsiung, due to the presence of troops, soon experiences armed suppression. Prominent figures in Kaohsiung form a committee hoping for a peaceful resolution with the military. However, the military refuses to negotiate and instead dispatches troops in three waves for an even more brutal crackdown, resulting in severe casualties among Kaohsiung citizens. The Love River and the mouth of Xizi Bay are stained red with blood. The 228 Incident is a crucial event in Taiwan's modern history. Although the issue of transitional justice is solemn, it is an indispensable part of democratic education. Over the past decade, there have been few children's books addressing the White Terror. Some of these even have audio recordings in Taiwanese Hokkien. However, within the dominant Mandarin environment of the book market, picture books that directly present this historical period in Taiwanese Hokkien are rare. Author Wu Jia-ming depicts the severe suppression in Kaohsiung during the 228 Incident, reinterpreting it through the Taiwanese Hokkien language, allowing readers to better feel the tense atmosphere of that era. The reinterpretation of the text itself carries a positive cultural significance. The devastation caused by the scars of the 228 Incident was initially suppressed by the political environment, subsequently impacting Taiwanese people's confidence in their own language and culture. Transitional justice has many shortcomings, and numerous areas deserve further exploration. The marginalization of indigenous languages due to political oppression over many years is one such example. Writing the story of the 228 Incident in Taiwanese Hokkien is a double act of resistance against unjust policies, awakening readers to re-examine this historical period from a linguistic perspective. Author Introduction Developer of "ChhoeTaigi Taiwanese Dictionary/Lexicon Database" and "PhahTaigi Taiwanese Input Method." It is my unwavering conviction that Taiwanese people must understand their own cultural history, and that Kaohsiung residents must understand Takow. This value has led me to focus on Taiwanese studies, learning and writing in Taiwanese Hokkien. I invite all Taiwanese people to join me in this endeavor. Author's Words The reason for writing this picture book is simple and sorrowful. Many young students have no understanding of the 228 Incident, some even claiming it was the Japanese who attacked Taiwanese people. This illustrates the success of the "China" colonial government's ideological education, which has yet to change significantly. Taiwanese people must understand their own cultural history, and Kaohsiung residents must understand Takow. This value has led me to focus on Taiwanese studies, learning and writing in Taiwanese Hokkien. I invite all Taiwanese people to join me in this endeavor. Unlike typical accounts that only focus on victims, this story names the perpetrators, aiming to remind everyone that the most crucial aspect of transitional justice is addressing the perpetrators and the complicity structures behind them. My consistent desire is to have everyone consider why this history is written in the language of the victims. Using the perpetrator's language to recount our own history is an insult to those who suffered, an act of re-oppression. Employing romanized Taiwanese (Pe̍h-ōe-jī) is also a way to respect and nurture our own cultural history. The most important first step in transitional justice is linguistic transition justice: using our own mother tongue, not the language of the colonizers. This is the simplest action that each of us can take. Only then is it possible for Taiwanese people to truly become "Tâi-oân-lâng" (Taiwanese people). I hope that day arrives soon. ---------- For collaboration inquiries: Please send a private message to the "Tâi-gí Niau Taiwanese Cat" fan page.