A Discussion on the Naming of Mass Rapid Transit Systems: Metros in Taiwan

Abstract

Mass Rapid Transit systems are a fast and efficient way of transportation when visiting cities around the world. Although it is generally recognized that words such as metro or subway would direct tourists to the nearest station, the words have only a limited use in Taiwan. This research shows that the Taiwanese are more used to the term MRT, which is not easily recognized by foreigners. By looking into etymology and investigating the academic wordlists and news reports, it is found that tourists in Taiwan might have a problem communicating their intention of getting direction to a metro station. The same is true for the Taiwanese people on tour to other countries they will have a hard time finding the metro station by asking for the MRT station. The research suggests that the government should strongly consider properly naming the metro systems in Taiwan and to educate the youngsters in Taiwan on the usage of the words metro and subway.