Indigenous Language MC Training Full of Passion! First Tao Participant Joins the Pingtung Session

October 20, 2024 | China Times | Reporter: Hsieh Chia-Lin

原語會積極培訓族語司儀人才，當中屏東場次不僅首次吸引雅美族人參加，年齡層也很年輕。（原語會提供／謝佳潾屏東傳真）

Following the enactment of the National Languages Development Act, Indigenous languages in Taiwan have been recognized as national languages. As a result, bilingual hosting that combines Mandarin and Indigenous languages has become increasingly common at major forums and events. In response to this trend, the Foundation for Indigenous Language Research and Development (ILRDF) has actively promoted the cultivation of Indigenous language MC talents. The Pingtung session of the program not only attracted the participation of a Tao (Yami) Indigenous participant for the first time, but also featured a notably younger group of trainees. The third and second-place winners in the final presentation competition were only 20 and 22 years old, respectively.

madraw廖曉雯、Semalaw Kungkuwan鄭崧甫在成果發表合作搭檔後，分別拿下第1名及第2名。（謝佳潾攝）

tamek selaulauz宋承彥在成果發表後獲得第3名。（原語會提供／謝佳潾屏東傳真）

The ILRDF stated that the graduation ceremony for the Pingtung training course was held on October 20. More than 30 Indigenous participants registered for the program, and 16 were ultimately selected. Following the Taipei and Taichung sessions, this marked the first time that Tao (Yami/Dawu) participants joined the training program. In addition, the participants in this session were relatively young, with nearly one-third under the age of 30, and many possessing intermediate-to-advanced Indigenous language proficiency.

Madraw Liao Hsiao-Wen and Semalaw Kungkuwan Cheng Sung-Fu formed a hosting team for the final presentation and won first and second place, respectively.
Tamek Selaulauz Sung Cheng-Yen received third place after the final presentation.

The ILRDF further explained that more than half of this year’s participants were attending the Indigenous language professional talent training workshop for the first time. Executive Director Lowking noted that the program successfully reached more local participants and welcomed many young Indigenous talents. Through four days of intensive training, the selected participants were encouraged to use their voices to showcase the beauty and vitality of Indigenous languages.

After completing 24 hours of training over four days, the two youngest participants, Semalaw Kungkuwan Cheng Sung-Fu and Tamek Selaulauz Sung Cheng-Yen, won second and third place in the final presentation competition. They shared that many senior participants in the Pingtung session taught them valuable lessons and became their mentors. They hope to continue working alongside these seniors in the future to promote Indigenous languages and share this honor together.

Madraw Liao Hsiao-Wen, who won first place, expressed her gratitude to all instructors of the training program, saying that the courses helped her better understand MC skills, including oral expression, basic hosting techniques, photography skills, and makeup techniques. She shared that she had rarely worn makeup before but began learning how to present herself professionally and take better care of her appearance through the program. She also thanked fellow participants in the Pingtung session for their guidance and expressed joy in sharing this achievement with everyone.

News Link:
https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20241020003131-260421?chdtv