Learn the World in Simple English with Miss Y 簡單英文 大千世界

EP24 | 美國人為什麼這麼愛給小費？什麼是Tipflation？| Why Do Americans Tip So Much? What Is Tipflation?

你願意為一杯珍珠奶茶多付 20% 小費嗎？在美國，這樣的情況可能每天都在發生。這一集我們來聊聊美國的小費文化（tipping culture），從服務生時薪最低只有 2.13 美元的歷史背景，到近年備受爭議的「Tipflation（小費通膨）」，以及一則因為「沒給小費」而引爆網路論戰的真實故事。我們也會看看美國式小費文化是否正在向世界各地擴散，以及身為旅客，到底該怎麼給小費才不失禮。一起用簡單英文認識這個讓許多人又困惑又好奇的美國文化現象吧！ Would you tip 20% for a bubble tea? In this episode, we explore American tipping culture, the history behind it, the rise of “tipflation,” and a viral story that sparked online debate. We’ll also discuss whether US-style tipping is spreading overseas and what travelers should know when visiting America. Learn English with Miss Y: https://pse.is/95qltt [https://pse.is/95qltt] Leave a comment and share your thoughts: https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments [https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments] Transcription: Hey guys, I’m your English teacher, Miss Y! Welcome to the podcast made for intermediate English learners who want to listen to English, and learn about different topics in a fun and easy way. Today, I want to start with a simple question. Imagine you're walking home after work. It's a hot day. You decide to buy a bubble tea. You walk into your favorite tea shop. You order a large milk tea with pearls. The total comes to seventy NT dollars. The employee makes your drink and hands it to you. You take out your phone and scan the QR code to pay. Everything seems normal. But then something unexpected happens. A payment screen appears. And on the screen you see four choices. Tip 20%. Tip 25%. Tip 30%. Or "No Tip." The employee is standing right in front of you. Three customers are waiting behind you. Everyone can see the screen. What would you do? Would you leave a tip? Would you press "No Tip"? Tip (小費; 動詞的用法是給某人小費) Would you feel a little awkward (彆扭)? Maybe even a little guilty (罪惡感)? Now here's another question. What if I told you that for many Americans, situations like this happen all the time? In fact, tipping has become such a big topic in the United States that people argue about it online almost every day. Some people think tipping is an important way to support workers. Others think tipping culture has gone too far. And recently, a viral story involving a tourist and a restaurant receipt started another huge debate. So today, we're going to talk about tipping culture in America. Why do Americans tip so much? Why are there more and more people complain about it? If you visit the United States, what should you do? Let's get into it. Let's first understand why tipping is so important in the United States. One important reason is the way some service workers are paid. In the United States, there is a federal minimum wage (最低薪資). Right now, the minimum wage is seven dollars and twenty-five cents per hour. In theory (理論上), that means employers must pay workers at least that amount. But there is an important exception. For workers who regularly receive tips, such as many restaurant servers, the federal law allows employers to pay as low as two dollars and thirteen cents per hour. Yes, you heard that correctly. Only two dollars and thirteen cents per hour. The reason this is allowed is that tips are expected to make up the difference. In other words, the system assumes customers will leave tips. Without tips, many workers would earn far less money. For them, tips has been an important part of their income. This system has existed for a long time. In fact, the law that created a lower wage category for tipped workers dates back to 1938. So for generations, tipping has not simply been a nice gesture in the United States. It has become a social responsibility. That's why Americans often think about tipping differently from people in many other countries. At the same time, many people argue that this system itself is the problem. They believe workers should receive higher wages directly from employers instead of depending on customers. For me as a citizen born and raised in East Asia, my biggest question is: why should customers be responsible for helping workers earn enough money? But you know what, now, even American started to complain tipping. In recent years, many Americans have started talking about a word called "tipflation." Tipflation. This word combines two words. Tip and inflation. Inflation means prices going up (物價上升; 通貨膨脹). Tipflation describes a situation where tipping seems to be spreading everywhere, and people expect you to tip more. I remember 15 years ago when I visited the US for the first time, I was still a college student. Tip was only 10%, and that was already a burden (負擔) for me as a student. But now, you are expected to pay a 20% tip? Crazy! And nowadays, you are asked to tip everywhere. Not just restaurants or bars. People are being asked to tip at bakeries (麵包店). At takeout counters (外帶). At food trucks (餐車). At self-service (自助) businesses. People are asked to tip even when very little service is provided. Imagine ordering a muffin. The worker puts the muffin in a bag. You pay. Then the screen asks for a twenty-five percent tip. Some customers look at the screen and think, "Wait a minute. What exactly am I tipping for? No one serves me!" Many Americans say they don't mind tipping for good service. But they don't like feeling pressured. And technology has made that pressure more visible. Years ago, you might quietly leave some cash on a table. Now, digital payment screens often ask you directly. The options are right in front of your face. And because another person is watching, some people feel uncomfortable choosing "No Tip." Even if they don't think a tip is necessary. And that's why many conversations about tipping today are really conversations about expectations. One such story online went viral recently. A tourist shared a picture with a credit card receipt (收據) on Threads recently. She went to a restaurant. After the meal, the she paid the bill with credit card. But she chose the option “no tip” on the credit card receipt. Now, what the server didn't know was that the customer planned to leave a cash tip. The customer simply hadn't added a tip through the card payment system. But before knowing that, the server noticed the missing tip. The server then left a note written in red color on the receipt, saying ”Learn to TIP. It’s not my job to serve you FOR FREE!” (學一下怎麼給小費吧！免費服務你不是我的工作) Sounds very angry, doesn’t it? And as you can probably guess, people left very different opinions under the picture. Some people immediately supported the server. They argued that servers depend on tips. From their point of view, seeing no tip can be disappointing. Other people supported the customer. They argued that tipping should always be a choice. They said customers should never be judged for how much they tip or whether they tip at all. Some people said the server was being “greedy” (貪心). And honestly, this argue happens all the time when people discuss tipping. Now, if you're listening from Taiwan, you might find this especially interesting. In Taiwan, tipping is not usually part of everyday life. Sometimes restaurants already include a service charge. Sometimes people simply pay the listed price. Most of the time, there isn't much confusion. But in the United States, visitors often feel nervous because they don't know the rules. They worry about making mistakes. So let's talk about some practical advice. If you visit the United States, what should you do? First, if you go to a sit-down restaurant and a server takes care of you during your meal, tipping is generally expected. Many people leave around fifteen to twenty percent. Today, twenty percent is very common. Second, if you use services such as taxis or ride-sharing apps like Uber, many people also leave a tip. Third, in hotels, some travelers leave small tips for workers who help carry luggage or clean rooms. But things become less clear when we're talking about coffee shops, takeout orders, or self-service businesses. That's where opinions start to differ. Some people tip. Some people don't. Some tip only occasionally. Sometimes many Americans themselves are unsure about what the right answer is. But here's something interesting. The discussion about tipping isn't only happening inside the United States anymore. Some people are starting to worry that American-style tipping culture is spreading to other countries. For example, in parts of Europe, customers have recently noticed more digital payment screens asking for tips. In the past, people might leave a small amount of change after a meal. Or maybe nothing at all. But now, some restaurants, cafes, and bars are starting to show suggested tip amounts on payment screens. Sometimes customers see options like 10%, 15%, or even 20%. And for many local people, this feels strange. Because traditionally, tipping was never such a big part of everyday life there. Some customers in countries like the UK and France say they feel like they're being pushed toward American-style tipping habits. They worry that a culture of optional tipping is slowly becoming a culture of expected tipping. Part of the reason may be technology. Today, many businesses use the same digital payment systems. The screen asks for a tip automatically. Even if tipping was never common in that country before. And once people see tip suggestions often enough, social expectations can start to change. Another reason is that tourism has become more global. For example, in Iceland, tipping culture doesn’t exist. But for the past years, loads of American started visiting Iceland. They are already used to tipping. As a result, tipping can slowly become more common in Iceland where it was once rare. When people, technology, and businesses become more connected around the world, can cultural habits travel too? And if American tipping culture spreads internationally, will other countries accept it? Or will they push back against it? The debate about tipping is no longer only an American conversation. It's becoming a global one. What about you? Which system do you prefer? Some people prefer seeing the full cost immediately. Others prefer the flexibility of choosing how much to tip. Different people have different opinions. And that's one reason why tipping remains such a fascinating cultural topic. It's about expectations. It's about social rules. It's about how society values service work. And it's about what happens when old traditions meet modern technology. I’m afraid these questions will continue confuse people: Should I tip? How much should I tip? Why am I tipping? Millions of people are asking these questions, conversations about tipping are probably not going away anytime soon. The debate continues. And maybe that's why tipping remains one of the most talked-about parts of American culture. Thank you for listening to today's episode. I’m Miss Y, and I really hope you enjoyed learning English with me today. If you liked this episode, come back next time for another fun 15 to 20 minutes of simple, clear English and a brand-new topic to explore. Stay curious, and keep learning about the world in simple English. Powered by Firstory Hosting [https://firstory.me/zh]

EP23 | 《臺灣漫遊錄》 如何讓台灣故事走向世界？| How Taiwan Travelogue Won the International Booker Prize

這一集，Miss Y 跟大家聊最近台灣社群與媒體都在討論的《臺灣漫遊錄》以及它獲得國際布克獎的消息。我們會一起認識 International Booker Prize 是什麼、為什麼「翻譯」如此重要、這本小說在講什麼，以及作者楊双子與譯者金翎的訪談與得獎感言。這也是一集很適合英文學習者的內容，因為我們會聊到中文與英文思考方式的差異，以及翻譯如何跨越語言與文化。 In this episode, Miss T will talk about Taiwan Travelogue winning the International Booker Prize. We’ll explore what the award means, why translation matters, what the novel is about, and the powerful words from the author and translator. A great episode for English learners interested in language, culture, and Taiwan. Learning English with Miss Y: https://pse.is/94tzzb [https://pse.is/94tzzb] Leave a comment and share your thoughts: Transcript: Hey guys, I’m your English teacher, Miss Y! Welcome to the podcast made for intermediate English learners who want to listen to English, and learn about different topics in a fun and easy way. A few weeks ago, I was at the airport, waiting for my flight, and I walked into a bookstore. You know, those airport bookstores where people buy magazines, snacks, or something to read on the plane. And then I saw this book. The English title was Taiwan Travelogue. Honestly, at first, I thought it was just a normal travel guide about Taiwan. Maybe something about night markets, famous food, train trips… you know, the usual Taiwan travel stuff. I picked it up for a few seconds, looked at the cover, and then put it back. But recently, suddenly, I started seeing this book everywhere online. People on social media were sharing screenshots of the news. Taiwanese media started talking about it. Bookstores were putting the book in special display areas. Because Taiwan Travelogue just won the International Booker Prize (獎項). And a lot of people in Taiwan felt really proud and excited. Taiwanese book won a big international award (獎項), and also, this is a story from Taiwan reaching readers all around the world. So today, I want to talk about this book, what the International Booker Prize actually is, that the role of translation is, what the story is about, and also the two people behind this success — the author (作者) and the translator (譯者). So first, let’s talk about this award itself. What exactly is the International Booker Prize? You may have heard of the Booker Prize before. It’s one of the most famous literary (文學的) awards in the world. Usually, people connect it with serious novels, famous writers, and books that become internationally respected. But the International Booker Prize is a little different. The keyword here is “international.” This award is for books from around the world that are translated into English. And I think that part is really important. Because most of us only read books in one or maybe two languages. Right? For example, if a book is written in Korean, Japanese, Arabic, Spanish, or Chinese, many English readers cannot read it directly. So without translation, these stories would stay inside one language community. They could never travel very far. And that’s why translation matters so much. Actually, one thing I really like about the International Booker Prize is that the award is shared equally between the writer and the translator. I think that says something very meaningful. Because translation is not just changing words from one language into another language. It’s much more complicated than that. And I think you guys, as language learners, probably understand this very well. Maybe you’ve had this experience, right? Sometimes you know exactly what you want to say in Chinese, but when you try to say it in English, it suddenly feels… different. You know the meaning is there, but the feeling changes a little. Translation works like that too. And that’s why a great translator is almost like a second writer. Another reason this award feels important is because Taiwan is usually discussed internationally for other reasons. Politics. Technology. Semiconductors. But this time, people around the world were talking about a Taiwanese novel. A story. Literature. Culture. And I think that feels very different. It feels softer, more human somehow. So now the question is… What exactly is this book about? Why did it connect with readers around the world? So, what is Taiwan Travelogue (遊記) actually about? At first, it sounds pretty simple. The story takes place in Taiwan during the 1930s, when Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule (殖民統治). Japan ruled Taiwan from 1895 to 1945, so during that time, Japanese language and culture had a very strong influence here. The novel follows two women. One is a Japanese writer from Japan. The other is a Taiwanese woman who works as an interpreter (翻譯員 通常指口譯員). Together, they travel around Taiwan. They visit different cities, eat local food, stay in hotels, ride trains, and talk about culture, language, and daily life. It almost sounds peaceful and relaxing. Like a slow travel story. And in some ways, it is. Food is a very important part of the novel. Apparently, the book spends a lot of time describing meals, snacks, restaurants, and local Taiwanese dishes. And I think that’s one reason many readers enjoyed it so much. But underneath the travel story, there’s something deeper happening. The book quietly talks about power. Who gets to speak? Whose language is considered “important”? Who gets to tell the story of Taiwan? And I think that’s where the role of the interpreter becomes really interesting. Because the Taiwanese woman is translating language all the time between Japanese and Taiwanese culture. But translation is never completely neutral (中性). Sometimes, the translator has power too. She decides how things are explained. She decides what feelings are carried across. And slowly, the relationship between these two women becomes emotionally complicated. Some people describe the novel as romantic. Others describe it as political (政治的). And actually, maybe it’s both. One of the judges, Natasha Brown, said the novel “pulls off an incredible double feat.” Pull off (成功完成一件困難的事), “double feat” is like two things you’ve finished successfully. In other words, it successfully does two difficult things at the same time. She said it works both as a romance story and also as a sharp post-colonial novel. I really like that description. Because the novel with political topic is not always with boring speeches. It can be in some small moments in our daily lives. Conversations. Food. Travel experiences. And through those small moments, readers slowly begin to feel the bigger historical tension underneath everything. And the judge also called it “a completely, completely delicious love story.” I love that phrase — “completely delicious.” It makes the novel sound emotional and full of sensory (感知的; sense 感官) experience at the same time. And honestly, I think that combination is probably one reason international readers connected with it. Because even though the story is deeply connected to Taiwanese history, the emotions inside it still feel human and universal. People everywhere understand questions about identity, belonging, love, and power. And behind this award are two very important people: the writer who created the story, and the translator who carried that story across languages to the rest of the world. So now, let’s talk about the two people behind this book. The author and the translator. The author of Taiwan Travelogue is Yang Shuang-zi. I will call her “Yang”. And the English translator is Lin King. I will call her “King”. I think one reason this story feels special is because both of them seem deeply thoughtful about Taiwan, history, language, and identity. In interviews, Yang, the writer, talked about why she wanted to write this novel. She said something like by using a modern Taiwanese point of view, she wanted to solve the complex history that Taiwan’s people faced in the past, and to explore what kind of future we should to have” And I think that explains the feeling of the book very well. It’s asking questions like: How should Taiwanese people understand the past? How do history and politics shape identity today? And what kind of future should Taiwan build? I think these are questions many Taiwanese people think about. And then there’s the translator, King. The more interviews I read with her, the more interesting she became to me. Because for her, translation feels emotional and cultural too. In one interview, she was asked: “What made you want to translate this book?” And her answer really stayed in my mind. She said: “Were Taiwan’s peoples oppressed and mistreated under Japanese rule? Yes, but that does not mean their identities and personalities were bulldozed over by their suffering.” And then she continued: “There was still humor, good food, movies, school, petty fights, and romance. To suggest otherwise is to reduce a culture to its trauma.” I think that’s such an important idea. It means, when people talk about history, especially painful history, sometimes they only focus on suffering. But real people still lived full lives. They laughed. They fell in love. They argued with friends. They watched movies. They worried about ordinary things. And I think King is saying something very human here. A culture is not only sad stories. People continue living, even during difficult times. I think this is why Taiwanese are tough but very kind and warm. The book talks about colonialism (殖民主義) and power, yes. But it also talks about life and love. And then, during the award ceremony itself, both Yang and King gave speeches that many people online started sharing afterward. Some parts of their speeches felt very emotional and very direct. The author said that some people think art and literature should stay out of politics. But she believed literature cannot be separated from the soil (土地) it grows in. I like that sentence. Literature cannot be separated from the soil it grows in. It’s such a beautiful image. Stories come from somewhere. They come from history, culture, language, and society. She also mentioned that literature (文學) has never truly been apart from politics. Now, I know the word “politics” sometimes makes people uncomfortable. But I think what she means is that stories are always connected to real human experiences. And then King gave a speech that honestly made me emotional when I heard it. She talked about how, after Russia invaded Ukraine, she decided she would only translate Taiwanese literature in the future. She said: “I will continue to do so until the day comes that my homeland’s sovereignty is no longer a provocation or a punchline.” That line hit me really hard. Especially the phrase “a provocation (挑釁) or a punchline (笑點; 笑話的梗).” Because sometimes Taiwan’s existence becomes this strange international argument, or a joke, or just a political headline. But for Taiwanese people, Taiwan is home. It’s personal. And then she said another sentence that I found incredibly powerful. She said: “No one can reduce Taiwan’s literature to a monolith. Because we are not a chorus, but a cacophony, self-contradicting and unruly, just like any healthy, robust democracy.” Now, she uses some difficult words. But basically, she means many different voices making noise together. Not one single voice. I was really touched by her words. I think she was saying that Taiwan is diverse, complicated, emotional, messy, and full of disagreement. But that’s also part of being free. Different people telling different stories. Different opinions existing together. And maybe that’s exactly why literature matters so much. Because literature allows many voices to exist at the same time. And this is how a democratic society allows people to talk freely. Listening to King talk about translation also reminded me of something interesting about language itself. Especially the difference between Chinese and English. In another interview, she talked about one challenge when translating Chinese into English. She said that in Chinese, sometimes a sentence does not need a clear subject (主詞). You can have only a noun or a verb, and somehow the sentence still feels natural in Chinese. I think Chinese speakers understand this immediately. Sometimes in Chinese, we don’t always say who is doing the action. The meaning is just… floating in the context (上下文). Everybody understands it naturally. But in English, grammar usually wants a clear subject. Who is speaking? Who is doing the action? Who is thinking the thought? And King said that one of the most common questions she asks writers is: “Who exactly is this sentence talking about?” And sometimes the writer says: “Oh, readers can interpret (解讀 詮釋 翻譯) it themselves.” But then she says: “Not in English grammar. English grammar doesn’t allow that.” Honestly, I laughed when I read that because I think English learners experience this all the time. When I am teaching English, I always keep asking my students: “Where is the subject?” “Who is doing the action?” “You need a complete sentence.” But in Chinese, sometimes we naturally leave things unsaid. And that’s why translation is so difficult and interesting. A translator is not only changing vocabulary. King also used a really beautiful metaphor to describe translation. She said translation is like a dancer performing different moves, or a musician performing different songs. For example, playing Beethoven feels different from playing Mozart. In the same way, translating one writer feels different from translating another writer. It shows that translators are not machines. They are artists too. Interesting ideas, right? Actually, before preparing this episode, I hadn’t actually read Taiwan Travelogue yet. But after spending time researching the book, reading interviews, and seeing people discuss it online, I am now genuinely interested in reading it. Actually, I kind of want to read both versions now. The original Chinese version, and also the English translation. Because I think it would be fascinating to compare the feeling of the language in both versions. And while researching, I also saw some reviews from English-speaking readers online. Many reviewers on social media highly recommend the book. Many of them said Taiwan Travelogue was one of their favorite among other books which were also on the shortlist (入選名單) of International Book Prize. Seeing English readers connect with a Taiwanese story like this feels special somehow. What about you, are you interesting in reading this novel? Will you read the Chinese version or the English version? Share with me in the comments! I’m Miss Y, and I really hope you enjoyed learning English with me today. If you liked this episode, come back next time for another fun 15 to 20 minutes of simple, clear English and a brand-new topic to explore. Stay curious, and keep learning about the world in simple English. Powered by Firstory Hosting [https://firstory.me/zh]

EP22 | 中世紀的孩子到底是悲慘還是快樂？ | Were Medieval Children Miserable or Happy?

提到中世紀，很多人都會想到戰爭、疾病、貧窮，還有殘酷的生活環境。因此，不少人認為中世紀的父母不太愛孩子，甚至覺得童年這個概念根本不存在。但真的是這樣嗎？這一集，Miss Y 帶你一起回到中世紀，看看孩子們真正的生活。從嬰兒照顧、教育、遊戲，到農村與城堡裡不同階級孩子的日常，我們會發現，中世紀的父母其實非常在意孩子，也會為孩子生病、死亡而感到悲傷。透過歷史證據與有趣的故事，我們一起重新認識真正的中世紀童年。 Did medieval parents really not love their children? In this episode, we explore the surprising reality of childhood in the Middle Ages. From baby care and education to games, family life, and social class, historians now believe medieval children were far more valued and cared for than many old stereotypes suggest. Leave a comment and share your thoughts: https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments [https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments] Transcript: Hey guys, I’m your English teacher, Miss Y! Welcome to the podcast made for intermediate English learners who want to listen to English, and learn about different topics in a fun and easy way. Recently, I came across an article about childhood in the Middle Ages (中世紀; 也可以說 medieval ages; medieval (adj) 中世紀的), and I have to say, I found it fascinating. I started reading it just out of curiosity, but the more I read, the more surprised I became. So today, I really want to share some of these ideas with you. Before reading it, I had a lot of stereotypes (刻板印象) about medieval life. I mean, when we think about the Middle Ages, we usually imagine a pretty cruel (殘忍) and difficult world. Castles, wars, disease, poverty… you know, all those dark images. And because life seemed so hard back then, I always imagined children probably didn’t have a very happy childhood like many children do today. Maybe you’ve heard similar ideas too. People often say that medieval parents didn’t become emotionally attached (依戀; 附著;黏著) to their children because so many children died young. Some people even describe medieval children as just “miniature adults.” (迷你版的成人) But actually, historians today say this picture is mostly wrong. So in this episode, we’re going to explore what childhood was really like in the Middle Ages. We’ll talk about how children lived, how parents treated them, what games they played, what school was like, and why modern historians are challenging these old stereotypes. And once you start looking at the evidence, medieval childhood begins to feel much more human and familiar than we might expect. So let’s get started. One of the biggest misunderstandings about medieval childhood comes from an old idea by a historian (歷史學家) named Philippe Ariès. He believed that people in the Middle Ages didn’t really see childhood as a special stage of life. According to him, children were basically treated like small adults. Part of this idea came from medieval paintings. In many artworks, children wear clothes that look very similar to adult clothes. So people looked at these paintings and thought, “Oh, medieval society probably didn’t think children were different from adults.” But modern historians say the situation is much more complicated than that. When researchers started studying medieval law, education, medicine, literature, and art more carefully, they found a lot of evidence showing that medieval people absolutely understood that children were different from adults. For example, medieval writers divided life into different stages. They talked about infancy, childhood, and adolescence. infancy (嬰兒時期), childhood (童年時期), and adolescence (青少年時期). So they clearly understood that children developed step by step as they grew older. And medieval artwork also shows many scenes of childhood life. We can see babies learning to walk, children playing games, students sitting in schools, young people learning jobs, and parents taking care of their children. So children were not invisible at all. Actually, they appeared everywhere in medieval culture. And here’s another important point. Medieval parents really did care about their children emotionally. Now, of course, life was hard back then. Infant mortality was extremely high. Infant mortality means the rate for a baby to die before they reach childhood (嬰兒死亡率). Historians believe that in some periods, about one-third of children died before the age of five. One-third of children (三分之一)! That’s a shocking number for us today. Right? People had no antibiotics (抗生素), no vaccines (疫苗), and very limited medical knowledge. Even simple illnesses could become deadly. Fires, accidents, poor nutrition, and disease were constant dangers. But modern historians say high child mortality does not mean parents didn’t love their children. Actually, historical evidence shows the opposite. Parents prayed constantly for healthy births. Mothers asked the Virgin Mary (聖母瑪麗亞) for protection during pregnancy and childbirth. Families spent time and money trying to heal sick children. Some parents even traveled on long religious pilgrimages (朝聖之旅) because they hoped for miracles And when children died, medieval texts often describe deep sadness. So no, medieval parents were not cold or emotionally distant (有距離的; 疏離的). They lived in a dangerous world, but they still loved their children very much. Let’s talk a little about infancy (the period of being a baby). Being a baby in the Middle Ages was honestly pretty risky. The first years of life were the most dangerous. One thing medieval people commonly did was swaddling babies. This means wrapping babies tightly in a cloth. Today, this might look uncomfortable to us. But medieval people believed wrapping their baby tight could protect babies and help their bodies grow correctly. In medieval paintings, we often see babies wrapped very carefully and carried gently by adults. Breastfeeding (餵母乳) was also extremely important. People believed breast milk was not only healthy but also emotionally and spiritually (心靈方面) important. If a mother could not breastfeed, families sometimes hired a wet nurse. A wet nurse means another woman who breastfed the baby. And actually, babies who did not receive breast milk often had a much lower chance of survival because other feeding methods were not very clean or safe. Now here’s another stereotype people often believe: that infanticide, meaning killing babies, was common in medieval Europe. But historians say there is very little evidence for this idea. Yes, terrible cases existed sometimes. But medieval Christian society strongly condemned (譴責) hurting babies. It was considered both a crime and a serious sin (罪). Court records from the Middle Ages show surprisingly few cases, and when it happened, people reacted very strongly against it. So again, this challenges the old stereotype that medieval people didn’t value children. It’s good to know medieval people were not ruthless monsters, right? Haha. Now, as children grew older, medieval society expected them to slowly learn adult skills and responsibilities. Childhood was seen as a period of training and preparation. One important moment was learning to walk. Medieval art even shows early versions of baby walkers. Education depended a lot on social class (階級). For peasant children, children who are born in farmer’s family, learning usually meant helping with farming and housework. They learned by watching adults and joining daily work little by little. In towns and cities, many children became apprentices (學徒). Sometimes children as young as eight years old started learning trades like cooking, blacksmithing (打鐵), or carpentry (木工). And noble (貴族的) children had very different lives. Young noble boys were trained to become knights (騎士) and future leaders. They learned horseback riding, hunting, fighting, and court manners. Girls in noble families learned religion, household management, social etiquette (社交禮儀), and sometimes reading and writing too. And schools did exist in the Middle Ages, by the way. That surprises some people. After the time around 800 A.D., schools became more common in towns. Children learned reading, writing, religion, and sometimes Latin (拉丁文). Medieval artwork sometimes shows the idea that schools and education helps people climb higher toward knowledge. Now, something really important to remember is this: there was no single “medieval childhood.” A child’s life depended heavily on where they were born and what social class they belonged to. Most medieval people lived in the countryside, so let’s start there. Children from farmer’s family often worked from a young age. Around ten years old, boys might already help with works in the fields or taking care of animals. But their childhood was not only work. Medieval writers describe children running through fields, climbing trees, exploring vineyards, chasing animals, and playing outdoors with friends. Honestly, some parts sound very familiar even today. Now, city life was very different. Medieval cities were crowded, noisy, and full of activity. Children often worked in workshops (工作枋) beside adult craftsmen. And after the Black Death (黑死病) in 1348, city life became even harder. Many children suffered from hunger, disease, and poverty. Some became beggars (乞丐). But cities also gave children opportunities for fun and freedom. Historical images show children swimming in streams, watching street performers, playing games in public squares, and running around with groups of friends. So medieval cities were not only places of suffering. They were also lively social spaces. And then we have noble childhood inside castles. This is probably the version of medieval childhood people imagine most often. Young noble boys trained for being a knight. They learned to serve the nobles, learned military skills and social manners. But castle life was not serious all the time. Some medieval images show noble children playing with pets or small monkeys, which were apparently fashionable among nobles at the time. So even children preparing for war and leadership still had moments of play and fun. Now let’s move into daily life a little more. What kind of clothes did children wear? What about the colors of their clothes? Are you curious? Do medieval children also wear baby blue or baby pink like children nowadays? Actually, there are two popular colors for them — red and green. Red was believed to protect them from disease, while green was connected with youth and springtime. And what did the children eat? Did they eat like adults? Babies drank breast milk first, then slowly moved to soft foods like porridge, bread, eggs, and cooked fruit. And yes, this part surprises modern people: medieval caregivers sometimes gave children small amounts of heated wine (葡萄酒) because they believed it could help with stomach problems. Can you imagine if that happened now, how would people react to it? So different, right? As children got older, they slowly joined normal family meals and even large feasts. And of course, children played games. Actually, medieval childhood included a lot more play than people often imagine. Children played with balls, dolls, toy boats, hobby horses, and miniature tools. Many games copied adult activities. Children pretended to farm, fight battles, or run businesses. It’s like playing house (扮家家酒), just like what our children do nowadays. So childhood was not a small or unimportant subject in medieval culture. It was everywhere — in religion, literature, art, education, and family life. So, what can we conclude from all this? Well, medieval childhood was definitely hard. Children faced disease, dangerous work, hunger, and high mortality. Life was uncertain. But the old stereotype — the idea that medieval parents did not love their children or that childhood did not exist — simply does not match the evidence. Historical records show parents caring for children, protecting them, teaching them, praying for them, and grieving when they died. Children played, learned, grew, made friends, and slowly entered adult society step by step. In many ways, medieval childhood was very different from modern childhood. But emotionally? Humanly? Honestly, it may not have been as different as we sometimes imagine. And I think that’s what makes history so interesting. The more closely we look at the past, the more real the people start to feel. Alright, that’s it for today. I’m Miss Y, and I really hope you enjoyed learning English with me today. If you liked this episode, come back next time for another fun 15 to 20 minutes of simple, clear English and a brand-new topic to explore. Stay curious, and keep learning about the world in simple English. Powered by Firstory Hosting [https://firstory.me/zh]

EP21 | Apple 換 CEO 了？會有什麼影響呢？| Apple’s CEO Change: Why Does It Matters to Us?

蘋果公司宣布執行長將由 Tim Cook 交棒給 John Ternus，這不只是科技圈的大新聞，也可能影響我們每一個人的生活。本集 Miss Y 用簡單英文帶你了解這次領導轉換發生了什麼、為什麼重要，以及 Apple 未來可能的方向。同時回顧 Tim Cook 的成就，並分析新任 CEO 的背景與風格。一起思考：Apple 的下一步會是穩定發展，還是再次創新改變世界？ Apple is changing its CEO—but why does it matter to us? In this episode, we explore what happened, why leadership matters, Tim Cook’s legacy, and what might change under John Ternus. Learn how this shift could shape Apple’s future—and possibly the future of technology. Leave a comment and share your thoughts: https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments [https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments] Transcription: Hey guys, I’m your English teacher, Miss Y! Welcome to the podcast made for intermediate English learners who want to listen to English, and learn about different topics in a fun and easy way. So, you know, I’m actually kind of an Apple fan. I use an iPhone, I use a MacBook, and yeah, I like their design. It’s clean, simple, and just… nice to use, you know? And also their innovation. Innovation means the way they are creative and are able to make new things. I think over the years they’ve created products that really changed how we live. So when I saw this recent news about Apple, I was like, okay, this is kind of a big deal that you guys might want to hear about This news is not just big in the tech world. I mean, of course, people in the tech industry are talking about it. But actually, if you think about it, Apple is so connected to our daily lives that a change like this… it might affect all of us, in some way. Alright, so let’s get into it. First, what actually happened? There’s a major leadership change at Apple. After many years, Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO. Now, he’s not disappearing completely—he’s expected to stay involved as chairman (董事長;主席)—but still, stepping down as CEO is a big deal. I mean, this is the person who has been leading Apple for more than a decade. And the new CEO? That’s John Ternus. If you’re thinking, “Wait, I’ve never heard of him,” that’s actually quite normal. He’s not a public celebrity like some tech leaders. He’s more of an inside guy—someone who has been working behind the scenes at Apple for many years. So yeah, this isn’t some sudden drama or crisis. It’s more like a planned transition (轉變;過度). Apple knew this was coming, and they chose someone from inside the company. Still, even if it’s planned, it’s a big moment. Because when a company like Apple changes its leader, people pay attention. Okay, so that brings us to the next question… why should we care? Like, why does Apple changing its CEO matter to us? Well… here’s the thing. Apple isn’t just any company. It’s one of the most influential (有影響力的) companies in the world. Like, this is a company that shapes global tech trends (潮流). When Apple does something, other companies often follow. You’ve probably noticed that, right? And also… Apple is everywhere in our daily life. Your phone, your laptop, apps, music, cloud storage… maybe even your watch. It’s kind of hard to avoid Apple products these days. So when leadership changes, it’s not just some internal company news. It can actually influence a lot of things. Like global markets—investors (投資者) pay attention. Suppliers and partners—companies that work with Apple also get affected. Taiwan has a lot of companies that work with Apple. And even how we use technology every day… that could slowly change too. So yeah, it’s bigger than it looks. And there’s another interesting point here. If we look at Apple’s history, leadership changes have always meant something important. Think about Steve Jobs. He really defined Apple with bold, creative ideas. He pushed for totally new kinds of products. Then came Tim Cook. Very different style. He focused more on stability, efficiency, making the business stronger. And he did that really well. So each CEO didn’t just manage the company… they actually changed what Apple is. And that’s the key idea here. So when a new CEO comes in, it could mean different priorities (優先的事項 重視的事項). Maybe a different way of thinking about products. Maybe more risk-taking… or less. Maybe focusing on different areas. It’s subtle, but it matters. And also… timing is important. Apple might be at a turning point (轉捩點) right now. Because, you know, smartphone growth is slowing down. People are not upgrading their phones as often as before. At the same time, the tech world is shifting. Big companies are moving into AI, new platforms, new ways of using technology. And competition is getting stronger. So this CEO change is not happening during a calm, easy period. It’s happening at a moment where Apple needs to decide what to do next. We can say that the next leader is going to guide Apple into its next stage. And then there’s another layer to this… signals (訊號). This part is a bit less obvious, but really interesting. When a company like Apple changes CEO, investors watch very closely. A new CEO can send a message. Like, “Hey, we’re staying the same. Everything is stable.” Or, “We’re going in a new direction. Big changes are coming.” And even before any new product is released, just the announcement of a new CEO can already affect things. Stock (股票) prices might move. People’s expectations change. Competitors (競爭對手) start reacting. So yeah, it’s not just about actions. It’s also about what the change signals. Alright, now let’s talk about Tim Cook for a moment. Because, honestly, his role in Apple is huge. When Tim Cook became CEO, he took over from Steve Jobs. And that was not easy. Steve Jobs was known as a visionary (有遠見的人)—someone who created totally new kinds of products. Tim Cook, on the other hand, is different. His strength is operations (營運; 運作). He’s very good at making things run smoothly. Under his leadership, Apple became incredibly efficient. The supply chain, the production, the global business—everything became stronger. And financially? Apple became one of the most valuable companies in the world. That’s not a small achievement. He also expanded Apple’s services. Things like iCloud, Apple Music, subscriptions (訂閱)—these became a big part of Apple’s business. Apple started building a whole ecosystem (生態系統). But at the same time, some people feel that Apple hasn’t had a really big, groundbreaking (突破性的) product in recent years. Like, something as revolutionary (革命性的) as the iPhone. So that’s kind of the background Tim Cook is leaving behind. A very strong, stable, profitable company—but also one that people are watching closely, wondering, “What’s next?” And this is where John Ternus comes in. Now, he’s quite different from Tim Cook. His background is in engineering. He has worked on hardware—actual products like the iPhone and Mac. So while Tim Cook is more about operations and business efficiency, John Ternus is more about building products. And that difference is interesting. Because it might mean that Apple could shift slightly. To shift means to change. Maybe more focus on product innovation. Maybe more attention on the details of hardware. Maybe trying to create something exciting again. Not a huge change overnight, but you know… a different emphasis (強調的重點). Alright, so let’s talk about the future. What could this change mean for Apple? Well, one big question is innovation. Can Apple still create something new and exciting? Something that really changes how we use technology? Because right now, the tech world is moving fast. Especially in areas like artificial intelligence. Companies like Google and Microsoft are pushing forward quickly. Apple has been more careful. More focused on privacy. More controlled. So people are wondering—will the new CEO push Apple to move faster in AI? Or will Apple continue to be more cautious? Another issue is the iPhone. It’s still Apple’s biggest product. But the problem is, people are upgrading their phones less often now. So growth is slowing down a bit. That means Apple needs to think about the next step. Maybe new devices. Maybe new services. Maybe something we haven’t even imagined yet. And then there’s the global situation. Supply chains (供應鏈), politics (政治), regulations (規範)… all of these things affect Apple. It’s a global company, so changes in the world can have a big impact. So yeah, the new CEO has a lot to handle. But here’s the key point. Most experts don’t expect a dramatic change. It’s not like Apple is going to suddenly become a completely different company. Instead, it’s more like… a gradual shift. A bit more focus on products. Maybe a bit more risk-taking. But still keeping the strong foundation that Tim Cook built. So if we step back and look at the big picture, this CEO change means more than one person leaving and another person taking over. People around the world are also wondering: What kind of company does Apple want to be in the future? Does it continue refining what it already does very well? Or does it try to reinvent itself again? What do you guys think? One thing is clear. When Apple changes, the tech world pays attention. And in some way, it affects all of us—because technology is such a big part of our daily lives. Alright, that’s it for today. I’m Miss Y, and I really hope you enjoyed learning English with me today. If you liked this episode, come back next time for another fun 15 to 20 minutes of simple, clear English and a brand-new topic to explore. Stay curious, and keep learning about the world in simple English. Powered by Firstory Hosting [https://firstory.me/zh]

EP20 | 人類重返月球！阿提米絲二號任務是什麼？｜Artemis II: Returning to the Moon!

人類睽違50多年再次邁向月球，阿提米絲二號任務象徵太空探索的新開始。Miss Y 用簡單英文帶你了解這次任務的重點，從飛越月球的任務設計，到重返地球時的危險過程，以及太空人在旅程中的真實感受。透過清楚的說明與故事性的分享，讓你在輕鬆聆聽中認識這項重要的太空里程碑。 ---------------------------------------- In this episode, we explore the Artemis II Moon mission in simple English. From the flyby journey to the dangerous re-entry, we look at what astronauts experienced and why this mission matters. A clear and engaging way to understand a major step in human space exploration. Leave a comment and share your thoughts: Transcript: Hey guys, I’m your English teacher, Miss Y! Welcome to the podcast made for intermediate English learners who want to listen to English, and learn about different topics in a fun and easy way. So guys, I just want to share something I watched recently. It’s a movie called Project Hail Mary. I actually liked it a lot. It’s not too serious, so it feels easy to watch, but at the same time, it’s really warm. There are also a lot of funny moments, so you don’t feel stressed while watching it. And the actor Ryan Gosling is pretty cute, so you won’t feel bored, ladies. The story is about space, but it doesn’t feel heavy or difficult. It feels more human. Actually, one thing I really like is that the main character is not a superhero. He’s just a normal person, sometimes confused, sometimes scared, but still trying his best. That makes the story more relatable, which means you feel like you can understand him. Also, I have to say, the visuals are beautiful. The images and special effects in the movie look amazing. Some scenes really make you feel like you’re actually in space. But after watching the movie, I started thinking… movies show space in a very exciting way. Everything feels fast, dramatic, and sometimes even unrealistic. But real life is very different. And that made me think about real space missions. Not the movie kind, but what’s actually happening now. Recently, there was a mission to the Moon by NASA, called Artemis II. Of course, real missions are not as cool or dramatic as movies. There are no aliens, no super exciting action scenes. But still, when you think about it, this mission is very meaningful for humans. It shows that we are slowly moving forward, step by step, back into deep space. So today, let’s talk about this real mission—and why it still matters, even without the movie-style excitement. So, you know how humans haven’t been back to the Moon for more than 50 years? Well, NASA is trying to change that with something called the Artemis program. And actually, this is not just about science. There is also some kind of competition between countries. Some countries, like the US and China, are both interested in going back to the Moon. So in some way, it’s like a new space race. A space race means countries compete to explore space first. But this time, the idea is bigger than going to the Moon and coming back. They want people to stay there longer, maybe even build bases, that means places where astronauts can live and work. And actually, the Moon is like a training ground, which means a place to practice before going somewhere harder, like Mars. On the Moon, scientists can test how humans live in low gravity. Low gravity means in this place things feel lighter than on Earth. They can also learn how to use local resources. For example, there might be ice on the Moon, and that ice can be turned into water, or even fuel. So instead of bringing everything from Earth, maybe in the future, astronauts can use what they find there. That’s a very important step for going to Mars. So that’s where Artemis II comes in. This mission is a really big deal because it’s the first time in over 50 years that humans have traveled toward the Moon again. There were four astronauts on board, but they didn’t land. Instead, they flew around the Moon and came back. That kind of mission is called a flyby, meaning you go around something without landing on it. And this mission is also special because the team is more diverse. Diverse means people from different backgrounds. It includes the first woman, the first Black astronaut, and the first non-American to travel around the Moon. The spacecraft they used is built for deep space, which just means space that’s far away from Earth, not like the area where satellites usually stay. Satellites usually stay closer. Now, this mission was like a big test. It was a test mission, which means you’re checking if everything works safely before doing something more dangerous. So the astronauts were testing things like life-support systems, that’s the system that gives them air, water, and keeps them alive, plus communication and navigation. Navigation means knowing where you are in space. During the trip, they traveled really far from Earth, even farther than any humans have gone before. They spent about 10 days in space. And you can imagine, being in that spacecraft for 10 days is not easy. You are in a very small space, you can’t just walk outside, and you are very far from Earth. So mentally, it can also be challenging. Mentally means in your mind, your feelings, your emotions. Also, during the mission, they had to trust the technology completely. Because once you leave Earth, you cannot just come back anytime you want. But actually, the most intense part wasn’t going to the Moon. It was coming back. This part is called re-entry, which means the spacecraft returns to Earth and goes through the atmosphere. This is one of the most dangerous parts of any mission. The spacecraft is moving extremely fast, and when it hits the atmosphere, the air creates a lot of heat. At that moment, the spacecraft was moving more than 30 times the speed of sound. That is very, very fast. One astronaut, Victor Glover, said the experience was very strong and physical. After the spacecraft came down quickly through the air, the parachutes opened. The parachutes help slow the spacecraft down. Glover said the sound of the parachutes opening was very loud and surprising. Before that, the astronauts also experienced a communications blackout. This means they could not talk to Earth for about six minutes. This happens because the spacecraft is moving so fast that it creates very hot gas around it. This gas blocks radio signals. Glover gave an interesting example. He said it felt like falling backwards from a very tall building, like a skyscraper, for about five seconds. This happened when the spacecraft was in free fall, which means falling with no control. During re-entry, something very dangerous happens. When the spacecraft hits the air, the air gets pushed very hard, and this creates extremely high temperatures, up to about 2,700 degrees Celsius, about 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. So hard to imagine. There was also a small issue with the heat shield, which is the protective layer that stops the spacecraft from burning. Luckily, it still worked well. In the end, everything went as planned, and they landed safely in the ocean. After they came back, the astronauts shared their experiences. They said the mission was not just exciting, but also emotional. Seeing Earth from space made them feel connected to all people. They also said something interesting, they didn’t feel like they were representing only one country. They felt like they were representing all humans. And even though this was just a test mission, some of them said they wished they could have landed on the Moon. They were already thinking about the next step. And that’s really why this mission matters. Of course it shows our technology progress. It also shows human curiosity. Curiosity means the desire to learn or discover something new. Humans have always wanted to explore, from the ocean, to the sky, and now space. Artemis II shows that we are ready to take the next step again. Isn’t it exciting? So yeah, this mission is really the beginning of a whole new chapter in space exploration. What do you think, would you personally want to go to space one day? Or do you think it’s too dangerous? Let me know in the comments! I’m Miss Y, and I really hope you enjoyed learning English with me today. If you liked this episode, come back next time for another fun 15 to 20 minutes of simple, clear English and a brand-new topic to explore. Stay curious, and keep learning about the world in simple English. Powered by Firstory Hosting [https://firstory.me/zh]