北高地區大學生對國語和臺語之語言態度調查

Abstract

本研究旨在探討台北及高雄都會區的大學生對國語和臺語之語言態度。過去文獻中關於語言態度的研究已有一般性的討論（e.g. Lin 1987；Baran 2004），本文則將過去鮮少探討的區域因素納入分析中，目的在討論北、高兩大都會區如何評價國語及臺語。 本研究以施作問卷方式蒐集數據。參與調查者為臺北及高雄都會區的大學生， 155份有效問卷中，84份來自臺北、71份來自高雄。參與本研究的受試者須自評語言能力及臺語使用頻率，回答語言態度相關問題，並表達對國語及臺語的印象。 問卷結果發現，高雄受試者的臺語程度明顯優於臺北受試者。在與不同對象、處於不同地點及討論不同話題時的語言使用上，臺北受試者使用臺語的頻率低於高雄受試者。統計數據並指出，臺北受試者使用臺語的原因在於親疏關係，高雄受試者使用臺語的原因則取決於語境。大體而言，全體受試者的臺語使用程度相當低，顯示在生活各方面，國語的使用已逐漸取代臺語。 語言態度相關問題主要探討受試者對於臺語的評價。概括而言，全體受試者說臺語之因源自於整合性動機（integrative motivation）及工具性動機（instrumental motivation）。而研究結果發現，受試者在態度或信念的表達上，與實際行為表現有所差距。此現象或可歸因於個人語言使用習慣及對臺語的觀感。在統計結果中，高雄受試者對臺語的評價比臺北受試者持有更多的正面態度。 有關對國語及臺語的印象，受試者普遍認為國語比臺語有價值、有活力及較不複雜。其中，高雄受試者對於臺語持有較正面的觀感。統計數據顯現，此現象與北高地區受試者的社會語言背景及文化概念有所關連。 本問卷調查結果顯示，語言使用、語言態度及語言觀感三者互有關連。語言使用和語言態度不一定相符，此現象可能跟社會變遷有關。此外，地區因素確實造成不同的語言評價。在臺北和高雄受試者對國語和臺語的不同評價中，反映出兩區在歷史發展及社會語言背景的不同。語言的概念深植於社會經驗中，因此刻版印象和語言就產生特定連結。這些現象可在本研究調查中發現。 本文將語言使用、語言觀感及區域因素納入國語和臺語的語言態度調查中，期能深入討論並對於語言態度議題有所助益。This study investigates language attitudes toward Mandarin and Taiwanese in Taipei and Kaohsiung metropolitan areas through questionnaires. Earlier studies have provided general accounts on language attitudes (Lin, 1987, Baran, 2004), but the present study incorporates regional factors—a commonly noted factor that is rarely analyzed systematically—into the analysis. The thesis is aimed at looking into how Mandarin and Taiwanese are evaluated in the two target areas. The study has collected data by means of questionnaires. Subjects participated in the survey were composed of college students from universities of Taipei and Kaohsiung. 155 valid questionnaires were acquired, with 81 Taipei subjects and 74 Kaohsiung respondents. The participants were asked to provide self-reported answers on language use, judge language attitude-related statements, and express their impressions of Mandarin and Taiwanese on bipolar attributes. The subjects’ reported language use show that Kaohsiung respondents’ Taiwanese proficiency is significantly higher than their northern counter parts. With regard to the frequency of speaking Taiwanese with different interlocutors, in different locations and about different topics, Taipei subjects’ use of Taiwanese is lower than that of their peers. Besides, it is found that Taipei students’ use of Taiwanese varies in the dimension of intimacy, while Kaohsiung students speak Taiwanese based on contexts. On the whole, all the subjects showed quite a low use of Taiwanese, which suggests that it is being replaced by Mandarin in all aspects of people’s life. The language attitude-related statements were mainly designed to explore subjects’ evaluation of Taiwanese. Generally speaking, the sample population was integratively and instrumentally motived to speak Taiwanese. However, there is a contrast between their attitudes/beliefs and reported behaviors. Possible reasons may be due to people’s language use and social images of Taiwanese. When regional differences are taken into consideration, it is observed that Kaohsiung subjects held more positive attitudes toward Taiwanese. As for the stereotypical impressions of Mandarin and Taiwanese, Mandarin was evaluated to be more valuable, more potent, and less complex than Taiwanese. The comparison of the ratings derived from the two target areas suggests that Kaohsiung respondents expressed more positive images of Taiwanese. This may be associated with the sociolinguistic background and cultural concepts of the North and the South. The questionnaire reveals that language use, language attitudes, and social images of the two languages interact with each other. It is found that language use does not coincide with language attitudes, and this may be linked with social change. Besides, regional differences do have an impact on people’s evaluations. Taipei and Kaohsiung are distinct in their historical development and sociolinguistic background, and the contrast seems to be parallel with the social images of Mandarin and Taiwanese. People’s conceptualization of language is rooted in social experience, with stereotypical linkage with certain features and a linguistic variety. This is observed in how they evaluated Mandarin and Taiwanese in the survey. The study has attempted to investigate language attitudes toward Mandarin and Taiwanese by incorporating language use, social images of languages, as well as regional factors. It is hoped that this thesis could provide an in-depth discussion and shed some lights on the issues of language attitudes.