By Henry Hsieh, Web Operation Manager of Hakka Association of New York
Although the Hakka language has a rich historical foundation and Hakka communities have made significant contributions around the world, the survival of the language itself faces a serious crisis. According to the 2020 Population and Housing Census by Taiwan’s Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, only 5.5% of Taiwan’s population reported using Hakka as either a primary or secondary language. This figure is a stark contrast to the fact that Hakka people make up nearly 20% of the total population. Furthermore, the 2021 “National Survey on Hakka Population and Language Use,” commissioned by the Hakka Affairs Council, revealed a decline in Hakka listening and speaking proficiency compared to 2016 — especially in speaking ability. These alarming trends underscore the urgent need for efforts in language preservation and transmission.
Amid this context, a short video unexpectedly went viral on social media — a clip of a student being interviewed entirely in Hakka. This video, produced by Hakka News, garnered 182,000 views in just seven weeks. The overwhelming majority of comments expressed positive and emotional reactions. Viewers not only praised the young person’s fluency and confidence in speaking Hakka, but many also expressed admiration, regret, and a renewed desire to reconnect with their mother tongue. Comments such as “I’m Hakka but can’t speak the language, I feel ashamed,” or “Listening to you speak makes me want to learn,” and “I regret not learning it well when I was younger” were common.
Unlike traditional promotional content that often carries a didactic or formal tone, this video captures the natural charm of everyday Hakka language in a relaxed and relatable setting. It helped shift public perception, showing that speaking Hakka can be both cool and engaging. This example highlights how combining language with contemporary youth culture and digital platforms can revitalize interest and motivation, breathing new life into the language.
In addition to creating youth-focused content, Hakka News operates under the Hakka Public Communication Foundation (HPCF), which actively promotes Hakka language and culture through various media formats. HPCF runs Taiwan’s first nationwide Hakka-language radio station, “Hakka Radio,” and has also developed podcasts, animations, dramas, and documentaries to integrate Hakka into entertainment and education naturally. They also host youth language camps and new media training programs, creating immersive environments where Hakka can be used and learned in daily life.
This government-supported, media-driven “co-creation model” not only bridges the gap between younger generations and the Hakka language but also extends the responsibility of language learning beyond homes and schools to a broader societal effort.
From these developments and success stories, it’s clear that modern access to Hakka learning has become increasingly diverse and no longer limited to textbooks or classrooms. The case of Hakka News shows that when media communication resonates with the everyday language and lifestyle of younger audiences, it can spark emotional connections and learning motivation — paving the way for the preservation and revitalization of Hakka culture.
English 
Chinese