Elevating Taiwan Sign Language to Cultural Status: Ku Yu-shan Receives Inaugural Contribution Award and Shares Honor with Deaf Community

By Central News Agency Reporter Yang Ssu-jui, Tainan, June 13

The Ministry of Culture held the inaugural Taiwan Sign Language Contribution Award ceremony today at the National Museum of Taiwan in Tainan. Minister of Culture Lee Yuan presented the award to the first recipient, Ku Yu-shan, who expressed his wish to share this honor with all members of the deaf community.

The evening ceremony, held at the National Museum of Taiwan in Tainan, combined Taiwan Sign Language with diverse artistic performances. Through the interweaving of sign language, video, music, and physical expression, the cultural characteristics and vitality of Taiwan Sign Language were vividly showcased. Minister Lee Yuan then awarded Ku Yu-shan in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting Taiwan Sign Language, advocating for deaf culture, and advancing linguistic equality.

In his speech, Minister Lee stated that Ku Yu-shan has elevated Taiwan Sign Language beyond mere communication into the realm of culture, thereby enriching Taiwan’s linguistic and cultural landscape. He praised Ku’s son as well, noting that he established a studio and, together with his father, has transformed sign language into theater, performance, and deeper forms of communication—making the inaugural award well-deserved.

Lee added that as a minority language compared to others, the establishment of this contribution award helps elevate sign language to an equal status with other languages.

Ku Yu-shan delivered his remarks in sign language, expressing joy and gratitude for being recognized by the Ministry of Culture. He shared that his personal journey had been difficult, marked by numerous setbacks, but gradually attracted more people to join in research, leading to meaningful achievements.

He emphasized that communication through sign language is truly barrier-free. The efforts to promote it across northern and southern Taiwan aim to raise public awareness and gain understanding from government agencies, proving that deaf individuals are capable. As awareness of Taiwan Sign Language grows, he believes deaf people can become self-reliant and live independently without depending on others.

Ku expressed hope that future generations will achieve even greater things, encouraging younger peers to keep striving. He stressed that this award is not a personal honor, but a shared achievement of the entire deaf community.

According to materials provided by the Ministry of Culture, affectionately known as 'Father Ku' within the deaf community, Ku Yu-shan lost his hearing due to illness in childhood. His profound educational experiences shaped his lifelong mission to challenge societal stereotypes about the hearing impaired and advocate for deaf cultural equity.

In 1977, Ku participated in founding the Taipei Deaf Drama Troupe and served as its director. He subsequently established the Republic of China Sign Language Research Association and the Republic of China Deaf Association, continuously advancing the preservation, transmission, and institutionalization of Taiwan Sign Language. His work has profoundly influenced Taiwanese society and heightened awareness of linguistic equality and multicultural values. (Edited by Chen Jen-hua) 1150613