Taiwanese Language Study

Taiwanese, a dialect of Chinese spoken by natives of the mainland Chinese province of Fujien (Fukien) and over 70% of all Taiwanese. Although there are an additional 3 tones (7 total) and several sounds which aren't described by traditional written characters, Taiwanese does not have it's own written language (Hokkien, Hoklo or Minnan language). Linguistically speaking Taiwanese, or 'Taiyu' as it is often called in Taiwan, is a dialect of Minnan or Southern Min. This is the language spoken in the south of Fujian Province in China where most Taiwanese trace their ancestry back to.