WELCOME TO THE PODCAST! - The "White Formosan" - S1-E1
The History of Taiwan: Formosa Files, rated as the best Taiwan history podcast, has gained a lot of new listeners of late, and many seem to begin listening from where they first encounter the program. But there are lots of great Taiwan history episodes from seasons 1-2 and, as this one is the one that started it all, we're rereleasing a new edit of Season One, Episode One: “The White Formosan.” Our sound quality and editing skills have improved greatly (um... we hope you agree) since the launch of the podcast in late 2021, but we hope our enthusiasm and love for telling stories from Taiwanese history has only grown with our audience. Thanks to long-time listeners for sticking with us, and a very big welcome to all the newer folks!
Originally released on September 6, 2021.
Cover: Composite of typical "Formosans" from Psalmanazar’s Description of Formosa. Colorized by Benjamin Breen. Via The Appendix/Benjamin Breen.
Below: An image said to be the likeness of George Psalmanazar (1679?-1763) Via Wikimedia Commons.
Below:
Psalmanazar went so far as to create a fake Formosan alphabet... and translate parts of the Bible into it! Here is his "translation" of the Lord's Prayer:
"Amy Pornio dan chin Ornio vicy, Gnayjorhe sai Lory, Eyfodere sai Bagalin, jorhe sai domion apo chin Ornio, kay chin Badi eyen, Amy khatsada nadakchion toye ant nadayi, kay Radonaye ant amy Sochin, apo ant radonern amy Sochiakhin, bagne ant kau chin malaboski, ali abinaye ant tuen Broskacy, kens sai vie Bagalin, kay Fary, kay Barhaniaan chinania sendabey. Amien."
(Image via Wikimedia Commons)
Below: The first page of Psalmanazar's 1704 book, An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa, an Island subject to the Emperor of Japan
(Image via Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CHECK OUT THESE LINKS:
GEORGE PSALMANAZAR AND THE FAKE HISTORY OF TAIWAN - By Taiwan Insight
WIKI: The story of the Frenchman who claimed to be the first native of Formosa to visit Europe
Alex Boese: Hoaxes (2002)
Made in Taiwan?: An Eighteenth-Century Frenchman’s Fictional Formosa - By Benjamin Breen – Published October 29, 2013
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