Zhu Zhaoxiang A native of Longxi, Fujian.

Graduated from the Law Department of Xiamen University in 1938.

Studied linguistics at the National Southwestern Associated University from 1939 to 1941, and authored the book “A Comparative Study of Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, and Xiamen Dialects”.

Hired as a member of the Taiwan National Language Committee in 1946. The Taiwan Provincial National Language Committee “in order to experiment with learning the National Language from dialects, established a Demonstration National Language Promotion Institute on October 1 of the 35th year (of the Republic). Three promoters were dispatched, with Committee Member Wang Jieyu as the director and Committee Member Zhu Zhaoxiang as the instructor. The site was set up in Beitou, relocated to Tamsui on June 3 of the 36th year, and this work came to an end in August of the 36th year, concluding the promotion institute.” The Taiwan Province 1947 “Government Work Report” also recorded: “In October of the 35th year, three probationary inspectors from this committee were transferred to establish a Demonstration National Language Promotion Institute in Beitou to experiment with ‘using comparative analogy to learn the National Language from dialects’.” Zhu Zhaoxiang himself also said: “From dialect to National Language, from dialect symbols to National text, this is the state-designated policy of dialect on the left and National Language on the right—or meaning on the left and sound on the right. Taiwan Province’s National Language movement is precisely heading in this direction.”

Monographs and Articles:

  • In 1946, the Taiwan Provincial National Language Committee promulgated and implemented the “Taiwan Dialect Phonetic Symbol Scheme” formulated by Zhu Zhaoxiang.
  • In 1947, published “Analysis of Mispronunciations of National Sounds by Taiwan Compatriots” in the 3rd issue of “National Language Communication”.
  • In 1948, published “Draft Romanization of the Xiamen Dialect” in Volume 3, Issue 7 of “Taiwan Culture”.