hoklo

But even there, I would tend not to use the word “ethnic” to describe the differences between hoklo and hakka, although I can be persuaded otherwise as there are many instances where this is used.

Global Voices in English » Taiwan: Racist cartoon causes controversy 2009

When shanghainese make jokes about beijingese and vice versa, or when people of hoklo background have anxiety marrying into a hakka family and vice versa, these are generally thought of as regional differences and prejudices, not “racial” prejudice and discrimination.

Global Voices in English » Taiwan: Racist cartoon causes controversy 2009

This is strikingly different from how people generally understand “race” when applied to persons of hoklo and hakka ancestry or the KMT leadership.

Global Voices in English » Taiwan: Racist cartoon causes controversy 2009

B. # ppl who understand minnan but not mandarin if TV/radio can be used as indicators, it contradicts what you claimed. because, mandarin is taught in school so most hoklo except the very old speaks mandarin well. in addition, i guess many older hoklo might have learned good enough mandarin after years of media immersion.

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I might grant you the use of the word “ethnic” difference in this context – you can make a stronger argument that the hoklo – hakka difference is an “ethnic” one because they may have somewhat different dialects and cultural traditions (e.g., cuisine, marriage rituals) and perceived ‘qualities’ (e.g., thrift vs extravagance) but these are somewhat difficult to pin down with any specificity because even within hoklo and hakka families, there may be variations depending on the particular county or village.

Global Voices in English » Taiwan: Racist cartoon causes controversy 2009

I don’t think that in general, people in Taiwan (or anywhere in China) or anywhere among the Chinese diaspora around the world, think of the differences between hoklo and hakka (or for that matter, cantonese, hunanese, shanghainese, szechuanese (sichuanese) etc. as “racial” differences.

Global Voices in English » Taiwan: Racist cartoon causes controversy 2009

By calling the cartoon “racist” you are implying that people of hoklo and hakka ancestry are different “races” (at least that’s how it sounds to me – please explain if one can read it differently) from one another, and different from whatever race it is you think the KMT represents.

Global Voices in English » Taiwan: Racist cartoon causes controversy 2009