This paper explores how linguistic practices in Taiwanese Mandarin reflect the cultural translation of Western concepts, resulting in significant conceptual ambiguities. By analyzing everyday expressions such as 基督教 (Jidujiao, intended as Protestantism, but literally meaning Christianity), 英文 (Yingwen, referring to both the Latin alphabet and the English language), or even 果汁機 (guozhiji, meaning juicer but used for blender), the study highlights discrepancies between intended meanings and actual references. These linguistic mismatches create confusion in communication, especially in international contexts, and contribute to a distorted worldview that hampers Taiwan’s progress in education, technology, and cultural development. Drawing on the philosophical tradition of the rectification of names, first proposed by Confucius and developed by Xunzi, the paper investigates how aligning language with reality can enhance clarity of thought and communication. It also incorporates Western philosophical approaches, notably Frege's sense and reference theory and Wittgenstein's emphasis on the logical structure of language in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. By examining these frameworks, the paper posits that adopting a form of rectification of names within Taiwan's educational system is essential for promoting precise thinking and reducing conceptual confusion. However, the current academic environment in Taiwan treats political discussions as taboo, which suggests a form of self-censorship in effect. This reluctance to address political dimensions of this linguistic ambiguity perpetuates confusion, suggesting that a political resolution—such as clarifying Taiwan’s status—is the only viable solution to achieve the necessary rectification of names and resolve the underlying conceptual issues.

Authors:
Radovan Škultéty, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Radovan Škultéty is currently a lecturer at Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan. His current research of nonsense as a tool of literary subversion focuses on the role of the madman/Holy Fool in a comparative literary context.

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