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

EP27 | 泰勒絲結婚了！一起認識全球最具影響力的流行天后 | Taylor Swift: From a Fairytale Wedding to a Global Superstar

Taylor Swift 和 Travis Kelce 的婚禮成為最近全球熱門的娛樂新聞，但 Taylor Swift 為什麼能擁有如此驚人的影響力？這一集我們將用簡單英文，帶你認識她的成長故事、音樂生涯，以及推薦你最值得入門的經典歌曲。節目也會介紹美國婚禮文化、流行迷因，以及許多實用英文單字與片語，讓你一邊了解流行文化，一邊提升英文聽力。 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding became one of the biggest entertainment stories of the year. In this episode, learn about Taylor Swift's life, music, The Eras Tour, and some must-listen songs in simple English. You'll also discover fun wedding traditions, useful vocabulary, and American pop culture while improving your listening skills. 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] 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. Today, we're talking about one of the biggest entertainment stories of the year. It's a wedding. Yes, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially married! If you opened social media this week, you probably saw photos, videos, and headlines about their wedding. News channels around the world were talking about it. Fans gathered outside the venue (活動場地). Celebrities flew to New York. Some people even called it "America's royal wedding." Now, if you don't know who Travis Kelce is, don't worry. We'll talk more about him later. But today, I want to start with something funny. After Taylor and Travis announced their engagement (訂婚) last year, Taylor posted a photo with a caption that quickly became famous. She wrote, "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married." And now that they are officially husband and wife, people are saying, "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are married." Why is this so funny? Well, think about it. Taylor Swift is one of the most famous songwriters in the world. Many English teachers use her song lyrics in class because her songs are full of interesting vocabulary, storytelling, and emotions. Many of my students say they learned English by listening to Taylor Swift. So people joke that she's everyone's English teacher. On the other hand, Travis Kelce is a professional American football (美式橄欖球) player. He's strong, athletic, and plays in the NFL. NFL is the biggest football league in the United States. If Taylor is your English teacher... then Travis must be your gym teacher. It's a simple joke, but millions of people online loved it. Now, let's talk about the wedding itself. The couple chose one of the most famous places in New York City: Madison Square Garden. Usually, this building hosts basketball games, hockey games, concerts, and huge events. But this week, it became a wedding venue. According to media reports, around one thousand guests were invited. Security (保全; 保安) was extremely tight. Many nearby streets were closed, and guests were asked not to bring their phones inside. Fans waited outside for hours, hoping to catch a quick look at their favorite celebrities. And speaking of celebrities... The guest list looked almost like the Oscars. Famous singers, actors, athletes, and friends of the couple all came to celebrate. People spotted stars like Ed Sheeran, Gigi Hadid, Hugh Grant, Bradley Cooper, and many NFL players arriving at the event. It felt like almost every part of American entertainment had come together in one place. And you know what? The person who officiated (主持; 證婚) the wedding was Adam Sandler. If you're not familiar with him, Adam Sandler is one of America's best-known comedy actors. You may have seen movies like Click, or 50 First Dates. Surprisingly, Adam is a good friend of both the bride and the groom, and he was chosen to lead the wedding ceremony. I think that's a really sweet choice. Instead of choosing a religious leader or a judge, they asked a close friend to help them begin this new chapter of their lives. Now here's another detail that many people loved. On Friday night, the Empire State Building (帝國大廈) lit up in sparkling blue. But why blue? Well, in many Western weddings, there is an old tradition. People often say a bride should have "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue." Each one is believed to bring good luck. So when the Empire State Building turned blue, many people called it Taylor's "something blue." It was a beautiful way for New York City to celebrate the wedding. And finally, there was one small detail that made fans smile. Outside Madison Square Garden, giant screens displayed a message that read: "JUST&T MARRIED!" Normally, after a wedding, you'll see the words "Just Married." It simply means the couple has just become husband and wife. But this time, the message became "JUST&T MARRIED." Can you see the joke? The letters T&T stand for Taylor and Travis. So instead of saying only "Just Married," the sign cleverly included both of their names. Even tiny details like this quickly became headlines around the world. So now that we've talked about the wedding, let's take a step back. Who is Taylor Swift? If you already know her music, you probably know why millions of people were excited about this wedding. But if you don't, don't worry. By the end of today's episode, you'll understand why Taylor Swift is much more than just another pop star. Taylor Alison Swift was born on December 13, 1989, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. She and I are basically people from the same generation. She didn't grow up in big cities like New York. She grew up on a farm with her younger brother. She has often said that her childhood was happy and peaceful. She loved performing when she was very young. She would sing at local events, fairs, and competitions. Even as a little girl, people noticed that she wasn't afraid of standing on a stage. But there was one thing that made her different from many young singers. She didn't just want to sing. She wanted to write her own songs. When she was only about twelve years old, she learned to play the guitar. Soon after that, she started writing songs about school, friends, and everyday life. She wasn't writing about things she imagined. She was writing about her own experiences. That became one of her biggest strengths. People listened to her songs and thought, "She's telling my story." When Taylor was fourteen, her family made a very big decision. They moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Now, if you've never heard of Nashville, it's often called the home of country music (鄉村音樂). Many country singers move there because that's where music producers, songwriters, and recording companies are. Moving wasn't easy. Taylor had to leave her friends, start at a new school, and begin a completely different life. But her parents believed in her dream. And Taylor worked harder than ever. She visited record companies (唱片公司), gave demo CDs to music executives, and kept writing new songs. Finally, she signed her first record deal. In 2006, when she was just sixteen years old, she released her first album (專輯). People immediately noticed something special. Most country singers sang songs written by professional songwriters. Taylor was different. She wrote many of her own songs. That made her music feel honest and personal. Fans felt like they were reading pages from her diary. As the years went by, Taylor became bigger and bigger. She didn't stay in country music forever. Instead, she slowly changed her style. Her album Fearless made her one of the biggest young stars in America. Then came Speak Now, Red, and finally 1989, the album that officially turned her into a global pop superstar. Songs like "Shake It Off," "Blank Space," and "Style" were played everywhere. Even today, many people can sing along after hearing just the first few seconds. One reason Taylor has stayed successful for so many years is that she isn't afraid of change. Every few years, she creates a different style. Different music. Different fashion. Different hairstyles. Sometimes she wears sparkling dresses. Sometimes she wears dark colors. Sometimes she writes happy pop songs. Other times she writes quiet songs with only a piano or a guitar. Fans even have a special word for these different periods. They call them "Eras." Every album is its own era (年代). Each one tells a different story. And each one reflects a different stage of Taylor's life. This idea became the inspiration for one of the biggest concert tours (巡迴演出) ever created. You probably guessed it. The Eras Tour. Instead of performing only songs from her newest album, Taylor celebrated every part of her career. During one concert, she traveled through all of her musical eras. Fans dressed up in costumes from their favorite albums. Some wore cowboy boots for her country music days. Others wore sparkling dresses inspired by Midnights. Some even traded colorful friendship bracelets (手環) with complete strangers before the show. That became one of the most famous traditions of the tour. People didn't just attend a concert. They became part of an experience. And the numbers were incredible. Millions of fans attended concerts around the world. Many people traveled to another city—or even another country—just to see one show. Some economists (經濟學家) even started talking about something called "The Taylor Swift Effect." Her concerts brought so many visitors that they helped local businesses make millions of dollars. It's not often that one singer can have that kind of impact on an entire city's economy. Many people say they grew up with Taylor Swift. When they were teenagers, they listened to songs about first love. When they started college, Taylor released music about growing up and becoming independent. Later, as fans entered adulthood (成人時期), her songs explored heartbreak, healing, family, friendship, and finding yourself. In a way, Taylor's music became the soundtrack (原聲帶) to many people's lives. I'd like to recommend three Taylor Swift songs to my audience, who maybe don't listen to English songs that much. If you've never listened to her music before, these are great places to start. And don't worry if you can't understand every word. Just enjoy the music first. Then, later, you can read the lyrics (歌詞) and learn new vocabulary. Let's start with one of her biggest hits. "Shake It Off." This song came out in 2014, and it became number one in many countries. I like this song because it is catchy (很朗朗上口) and fun to sing along. The message of the song is simple. People will always criticize you. Some people won't like you. But instead of worrying about them, Taylor says, "Shake it off." The phrase "shake it off" means to stop letting something bother you. Imagine dust on your jacket. You simply shake it off. In everyday English, we use this expression when we want to forget something negative and move on. I think that's a message everyone needs sometimes. My second recommendation is "Blank Space." I love the melody (旋律) of the song. And I also really like the attitude (態度) the lyrics give. At that time, many magazines said Taylor was always dating someone new. Instead of getting angry, she turned that story into a song. In the music video, she pretends to be a dramatic girlfriend. But she's actually making fun of the way the media described her. One famous line says, "Got a long list of ex-lovers." The media was always making fun of how many ex-lovers she had. Sometimes, laughing at yourself is more powerful than arguing with other people. The third song is "Cruel Summer." Many fans think this is one of Taylor's best songs. Interestingly, it wasn't a huge hit when it was first released. Years later, during the Eras Tour, thousands of fans sang every word together. The song became popular again and finally reached number one. That's pretty amazing. The title "Cruel Summer" doesn't mean the weather was bad. Here, "cruel" means painful or emotionally difficult. The song is about love, excitement, fear, and not knowing what will happen next. It's full of energy, and it's a lot of fun to sing along to. If you're learning English, Taylor Swift's songs can be surprisingly helpful. She tells stories. She uses everyday expressions. And many of her lyrics sound like real conversations. So next time you're listening to music, don't just enjoy the melody. Listen carefully to the words, too. You might learn some new English without even realizing it. Today, Taylor Swift is more than a singer. She's a songwriter. A performer. A businesswoman. A cultural icon (偶像巨星). Whether you love her music or not, it's hard to deny her influence. She has broken music records. She has won countless awards. She has inspired millions of fans around the world. And perhaps most importantly, she has shown that being honest about your own life can help other people understand theirs. When people listen to Taylor Swift, they often feel that someone understands exactly what they're feeling. Sometimes that's happiness. Sometimes it's heartbreak. Sometimes it's hope. And maybe that's why so many people have stayed with her for so many years. Now, after watching her grow from a teenage country singer into one of the biggest stars in the world, many fans feel like they have grown up alongside her. This wedding wasn't only a celebrity event. For many people, it felt like watching the next chapter of a very long story begin. Before we finish, if you're already a Swifty, I'd love to know your favorite song. Is it one of her country songs? One of her pop hits? Share your favorite songs 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]

EP26 | 40°C的歐洲如何改變人們的生活？| Europe Is Baking! How People Are Surviving the 2026 Heatwave

2026年夏天，歐洲再次遭遇嚴重熱浪，西班牙、法國、義大利、葡萄牙和希臘等地氣溫突破40°C。更令人驚訝的是，許多歐洲家庭、咖啡店、超市甚至理髮店都沒有冷氣！這一集，Miss Y分享自己住在法國時「熱到無處可逃」的親身經驗，帶你了解今年歐洲熱浪的成因、各國如何因應、居民與觀光客如何調整生活。 Europe is experiencing another intense heatwave in 2026, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several countries. In this episode, Miss Y shares her personal experience living in France without air conditioning, explains why Europe is getting hotter, how people and cities are adapting, and offers practical travel ideas for visiting Europe this summer. 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] 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. Let me ask you a question. Could you imagine living through summer without air conditioning (空調系統) ? Now, if you're listening in Taiwan, or maybe somewhere else in Asia, your first reaction is probably, "No way!" Air conditioning is almost part of our daily life. We use it at home, in restaurants, shopping malls, convenience stores, coffee shops, and even when we take the MRT or a bus. If the weather is hot, we simply go inside and cool down. But things are very different in many parts of Europe. I learned this myself last summer when I was living in France in 2025. Honestly, before I moved there, I thought, "Europe gets hot too, but people say it's not humid. It should be okay." Well...I was wrong. One afternoon, my apartment became so hot that I couldn't concentrate on anything. The windows were open, but there wasn't much wind. The walls felt warm, the floor felt warm, and even sitting still made me sweat. I thought, "No problem. I'll just walk to a coffee shop and enjoy the air conditioning." That's exactly what we would do in Taiwan. But after walking for several minutes, I realized something surprising. The coffee shop didn't have air conditioning. Then I went to a small grocery store. No air conditioning. A bakery. No air conditioning. Even my hair salon didn't have air conditioning. At that moment, I suddenly understood something that many Europeans have known for years. When your home is hot, there may be almost nowhere nearby where you can escape the heat. It sounds unbelievable if you've grown up in Asia. You feel tired. You feel sticky. You want to cool down. But every place feels almost the same temperature. I remember thinking, "So...where do people go?" The answer was...many people simply stayed home, opened every window at night, closed the curtains during the day, drank lots of water, and hoped the weather would become cooler. It felt a little hopeless. Of course, not every building in Europe is like this. Some hotels, office buildings, hospitals, and modern shopping centers have air conditioning. But in many homes, cafés, restaurants, and neighborhood stores, especially in countries like France, Germany, or the Netherlands, air conditioning is still much less common than it is in Taiwan. For many years, people simply didn't need it very often. Europe's climate was usually much milder (mild, 溫和). But recently, that has started to change. And this summer, in 2026, Europe is once again facing another dangerous heatwave (熱浪). You've probably seen photos online. Tourists carrying umbrellas under a bright blue sky. People cooling themselves with handheld fans. Streets that look almost empty in the middle of the afternoon because it's simply too hot to walk outside. So what exactly is happening? Let's find out. The summer of 2026 has brought one of the first major heatwaves of the season to southern and western Europe. Countries like Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece have all experienced extremely high temperatures, while the heat has gradually spread farther north. In several places, temperatures have climbed above 40 degrees Celsius. If you're from Taiwan, forty degrees may not sound impossible. Taiwan sometimes reaches that temperature too. But there's one important difference. Many European homes were never designed for this kind of weather. Most apartments don't have air conditioning. Many older buildings were built to keep people warm during cold winters, not cool during long periods of extreme heat. That means the temperature inside a home can stay high for many hours, even after the sun goes down. According to Reuters, weather agencies across Europe issued heat warnings as temperatures climbed close to or above historical averages for late June. Hospitals prepared for more patients suffering from dehydration (脫水) and heat exhaustion (熱衰竭), while emergency services asked people to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day. Meteorologists (氣象學家) say one of the biggest reasons is something called a "heat dome." Don't worry. It sounds complicated, but the idea is actually quite simple. Imagine putting a giant lid (蓋子 罩子) over part of Europe. That lid traps hot air underneath it. Normally, weather systems move around and bring cooler air from the Atlantic Ocean. But during a heat dome, the atmosphere becomes almost stuck. The hot air cannot escape easily, so temperatures continue to rise day after day. Another weather pattern, sometimes called an omega block because it looks like the Greek letter Omega on weather maps, also helped keep the hot air in place. This meant sunshine almost every day, very little rain, and extremely high temperatures across many countries. Scientists also explained that while heatwaves have always happened naturally, climate change is making them more frequent, more intense and longer lasting. In other words, heatwaves themselves are not new. But what is changing is how often they happen and how hot they become. Researchers say that today's temperatures are happening in a warmer world than they did decades ago. Because the Earth's average temperature has increased, every heatwave now begins from a higher starting point. Think about climbing a mountain. If you begin your hike halfway up the mountain instead of at the bottom, you'll reach the top much faster. Climate change works in a similar way. The atmosphere is already warmer than before, so when a heatwave arrives, temperatures can climb to much higher levels. That is one reason scientists are paying much closer attention to these events. Another interesting thing is that the heat doesn't affect every country in the same way. Spain and Portugal are already used to hot summers, but even there, temperatures this year reached levels that caused health warnings. France activated emergency plans in several regions. Italy warned people to avoid outdoor activities during the afternoon. In Greece, firefighters stayed on high alert because extremely hot and dry weather increases the risk of wildfires. Even countries farther north, where people are less used to extreme heat, began preparing for unusually high temperatures. One thing that really surprised me while reading all these reports was that Europeans don't only worry about feeling uncomfortable. They worry because heat can actually become dangerous. Doctors say older adults, babies, pregnant women and people with heart or lung diseases are especially vulnerable (脆弱). Even healthy people can suffer from heat exhaustion or heatstroke (中暑) if they spend too much time outside without enough water. That's why governments across Europe kept reminding people to drink water, avoid direct sunlight during the afternoon, and check on elderly family members and neighbors. For many Europeans, these heatwaves are no longer unusual news. Instead, they are becoming something people expect almost every summer. And that's a very big change from twenty or thirty years ago. So what happens when a whole continent becomes this hot? Well, life doesn't stop. People still have to go to work. Children still have summer vacation. Tourists still want to visit famous places. But everyone has to change the way they live. One thing I noticed while reading reports from the news was that many Europeans no longer treat a heatwave as something unusual. Instead, they treat it almost like preparing for a snowstorm. They know they need a different daily routine. Instead of going outside in the afternoon, many people now wake up much earlier. Construction workers may begin working at six or seven in the morning, before the strongest sunshine arrives. People go jogging before breakfast instead of after work. Some even walk their dogs before sunrise because the sidewalks become too hot later in the day. By lunchtime, many streets become much quieter. If you've ever visited Europe, you probably remember seeing people sitting outside cafés in the afternoon, drinking coffee or chatting with friends. During a heatwave, that picture changes completely. Instead of sitting outside, people hide indoors. Many restaurants and cafés pull down their sunshades, and customers look for the coolest table they can find. But remember what I told you earlier. Many cafés don't actually have air conditioning. So people simply look for shade and drink plenty of cold water. Some cities have also created something called cooling centers, or climate shelters. These are public buildings where anyone can go if they need a cooler place to rest. For example, libraries, museums, community centers and public buildings may open their doors during extreme heat. Some cities even publish maps showing people where these cooling centers are located. That's especially important for older adults who may live alone in apartments without air conditioning. In fact, protecting elderly people has become one of the biggest concerns. Heat doesn't affect everyone equally. Young, healthy adults might feel uncomfortable, but older people are much more likely to become seriously ill. That's why some local governments ask volunteers to call elderly residents every day during a heatwave. The phone call is very simple. "Hello, are you okay?" "Have you been drinking enough water?" "Do you need any help?" I think that's actually a wonderful idea. Sometimes a two-minute phone call can save someone's life. Hospitals also become much busier. Doctors treat more patients suffering from dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Emergency rooms in several countries prepared for an increase in heat-related illnesses as temperatures continued to rise. Another group that has to adapt is outdoor workers. Imagine repairing roads under a temperature of forty degrees. Or delivering packages all afternoon. Or working on a construction site with almost no shade (陰涼處). Some companies have started changing work schedules. Instead of working through the hottest hours, employees may start before sunrise, take longer breaks in the afternoon, or finish work earlier in the day. Some employers also provide extra drinking water, shaded rest areas and more frequent breaks. Of course, not everyone can work from home. But for office workers, some companies encourage remote work during the hottest days. That reduces travel and helps people stay somewhere cooler. Now let's talk about something many of us love. Travel. Summer is usually the busiest tourist season in Europe. Millions of people fly there every year to visit places like Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Athens and Lisbon. But this year, many tourists arrived and immediately realized one thing. "This is much hotter than I expected." Some reporters interviewed visitors from different countries who described carrying portable (可攜帶的) electric fans everywhere they went. Some tourists wore white or light-colored clothing to reflect the sunlight. Others carried umbrellas, not because it was raining, but because they wanted portable shade. It almost looked as if everyone had developed their own little survival kit. A bottle of water. A hat. Sunglasses. A handheld fan. And maybe a small towel to wipe away the sweat. Tourists also started changing their schedules. Instead of visiting famous attractions at two o'clock in the afternoon, many people woke up early. They might arrive at the Eiffel Tower just after breakfast. Or visit the Colosseum before the strongest sunshine. Then, during the afternoon, they would relax inside a museum, enjoy a long lunch, or return to their hotel for a few hours. When the sun became lower in the evening, they would go back outside. Actually, that's not a bad way to travel. You avoid the hottest weather, and you often avoid the biggest crowds too. One thing I found interesting was that despite all these challenges, most tourists didn't cancel their vacations. Instead, they adapted (適應). They slowed down. They rested more. They drank more water. They accepted that maybe they couldn't see ten attractions in one day. And honestly, maybe that's a healthier way to travel anyway. Sometimes we rush so much during a vacation that we forget to enjoy the place we're visiting. The 2026 heatwave reminded many travelers that it's okay to sit under a tree for half an hour, enjoy a cold drink, and simply watch the world go by. Of course, governments are also thinking about the future. Because if these heatwaves continue happening every summer, Europe cannot simply hope for cooler weather. Cities are planting more trees because trees provide natural shade and help lower temperatures. Some streets are being redesigned with more green spaces. New buildings are being built with better insulation (隔熱) to keep homes cooler. Architects are also exploring ways to reduce heat without depending entirely on air conditioning, because air conditioners use a lot of electricity. Electricity is very expensive in Europe, much more expensive than in Asia. So Europe faces a difficult challenge. People need to stay cool today. But they also need to prepare for even hotter summers in the future. And that balance won't be easy. As I read all these reports, I kept thinking back to my own experience in France last summer. At the time, I thought, "Why doesn't everyone just install air conditioning?" Now I realize the answer is much more complicated. Installing air conditioning in millions of older buildings is expensive. Some apartment buildings have strict rules about changing their appearance. Electricity systems would also need to handle much greater demand during the summer. So instead of depending on one solution, Europe is trying many different solutions at the same time. Some are changing city design. Some are changing work schedules. Some are changing daily habits. And perhaps most importantly, people are beginning to accept that extreme heat is no longer a rare event. It is becoming part of everyday life. # So, after hearing all this, you might be wondering one thing. "What if I'm planning to visit Europe this summer?" Should you cancel your trip? Personally, I don't think so. The answer is not, "Don't go." The answer is, "Go, but be prepared." The good news is that, according to Reuters and several European weather agencies, the most intense heat across parts of western Europe is expected to ease toward the end of June as cooler Atlantic air gradually moves in. That doesn't mean summer is over. July and August can still be very hot, especially in southern Europe. But the extreme temperatures that made international headlines this week are not expected to last forever. So if your trip is coming up soon, don't panic. Just plan a little differently. The first piece of advice is probably the simplest. Slow down. I know many of us travel with a very full schedule. Maybe you've saved money for years to visit Europe. Maybe you only have seven or ten days. So you want to visit five countries, fifteen museums, twenty famous attractions, and take hundreds of photos. I understand that feeling. I've been there too. But during a heatwave, trying to do everything can actually make your vacation less enjoyable. Instead, give yourself permission to slow down. Visit one or two attractions in the morning. Take a long lunch. Spend the hottest hours inside a museum or back at your hotel. Then go out again after dinner. In many European cities, the evenings are beautiful. The streets become lively again. Families come outside. People sit in parks. Restaurants fill with conversation. Sometimes the city feels even more magical after the sun begins to set. Another important tip is something many people forget. Drink water before you feel thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, your body may already be getting dehydrated (缺水 脫水). Carry a reusable water bottle whenever you go sightseeing. Luckily, many European cities have public drinking fountains where you can refill your bottle for free. That can save both money and plastic. Next, think carefully about your clothing. Dark colors absorb more heat. Heavy fabrics make you sweat more. Loose, light-colored clothes are usually much more comfortable. A hat is also a great idea. And honestly, after reading so many news reports, I think portable electric fans deserve an award. It seemed like tourists everywhere were carrying one. Small, rechargeable fans have become one of the most popular travel accessories during European summers. Another thing to remember is that Europe may not cool you down the way Taiwan does. In Taiwan, if you feel hot, you can simply walk into almost any convenience store or coffee shop. The air conditioning is usually waiting for you. In many parts of Europe, that may not happen. Some cafés have fans. Some rely only on open windows. Some hotels may have air conditioning, but many smaller hotels or older buildings may not. So before you book your accommodation (住宿), check carefully. If having air conditioning is important to you, read the hotel description and reviews. Don't simply assume it will be there. Now, if you plan to visit famous attractions, here's another suggestion. Go early. Very early. I know waking up at six o'clock during a vacation doesn't sound very exciting. But trust me. Walking through a quiet European street early in the morning is actually a wonderful experience. The air is cooler. The light is beautiful. There are fewer crowds. And you'll probably enjoy the experience much more than standing under the afternoon sun with thousands of other tourists. One more thing I'd like to mention is this. Please don't underestimate the weather just because Europe has traditionally had a cooler climate. Many visitors still think, "Europe isn't tropical. I'll be fine." But temperatures above forty degrees Celsius can be dangerous anywhere in the world. Listen to local advice. If authorities tell people to avoid outdoor activities during the afternoon, they're not trying to ruin your vacation. They're trying to keep everyone safe. Sometimes the smartest travel decision is simply to sit inside with a cold drink for two hours. Your body will thank you later. You know, as I was preparing this episode, I kept thinking about how quickly our world is changing. When I was younger, Europe was famous for many things. Beautiful castles. Historic cities. Amazing museums. Fresh bread. Outdoor cafés. Comfortable summer weather. Today, people are also talking about heatwaves. That doesn't mean Europe isn't worth visiting anymore. Not at all. It's still one of my favorite places in the world. But it does mean travelers need to prepare differently than they did twenty years ago. And honestly, local people are learning the same lesson. Many Europeans are changing their daily habits. Cities are planting more trees. Governments are opening cooling centers. Scientists continue studying how climate change affects extreme weather. Everyone is trying to adapt. In some ways, this reminds us that humans are actually very good at adapting. When life changes, we change too. Maybe we wake up earlier. Maybe we build different houses. Maybe we redesign our cities. Maybe we simply remember to carry a bottle of water and a small fan. Sometimes adaptation starts with very small changes. Before we finish today's episode, I'd like to leave you with a few questions. If you were planning a vacation during a heatwave, would you still go, or would you choose another destination? And if you've ever experienced an extreme heatwave yourself, tell me your story. How did you stay cool? Did anything surprise you? You can leave a comment or send me a message. I always enjoy hearing from listeners around the world. Thank you so much for listening 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]

EP25 | 世界盃現場直擊：球迷的熱情與城市的考驗 | Inside the World Cup: Fan Passion and the Cities That Host It

2026年世界盃是史上規模最大的世界盃，由美國、加拿大和墨西哥共同主辦。來自世界各地的球迷為了支持自己喜愛的球隊，不惜花費數千美元、跨越大半個地球前往現場觀賽。但當數百萬名遊客同時湧入城市時，交通、安全、住宿以及極端高溫等問題又該如何解決呢？本集 Miss Y 帶你認識來自克羅埃西亞、美國、蘇格蘭和德國的世界盃球迷故事，也一起看看主辦城市如何準備交通運輸、安全措施與高溫應變計畫，迎接這場全球最大的足球盛會。 The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest World Cup ever. Fans are spending thousands of dollars and traveling across the world to support their teams. In this episode, we'll explore real fan stories and discover how host cities are preparing transportation, security, and heat-response plans for millions of visitors. 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] 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. Today we're talking about something very exciting. The FIFA World Cup. Now, even if you're not a huge football fan, you've probably heard of the World Cup (世界盃足球賽). It's one of the biggest sporting events in the world. In fact, billions of people watch it. This year, for the first time ever, the World Cup takes place in three countries. The three countries host it together: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Sounds exciting, right? Have you ever wonder what it's really like to attend (參加) a World Cup? Why some fans are willing to spend thousands of dollars just to watch a match? And with millions of fans visiting the cities at the same time, how are those cities preparing for this challenge? Let's jump in. One thing many people don't realize is that the 2026 World Cup is expected to be the most expensive World Cup in history. Ticket prices for some matches can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And that's only the ticket. You still need to pay for flights, hotels, transportation, food, and maybe a few souvenirs. When people first saw the prices, many worried that ordinary fans would not be able to afford it. Some people even wondered if stadiums (體育館) would end up half empty. But something interesting happened. The stadiums are full. Fans still come. And many of them made huge sacrifices (犧牲) to be there. For some people, watching their national team at the World Cup is a dream they've had for years. I read an article on BBC News written by reporter Eva Sandoval. She shared some fans’ experiences attending the World Cup, which I found very interesting, and I want to share them with you. There is a group of Croatian (克羅埃西亞的) fans, for example. These guys are not casual (隨便的；隨意的) fans. They follow Croatia everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I really mean everywhere. They attend every Croatia national team match. Over the years, they have become so familiar that some Croatian players actually recognize them. Can you imagine that? You're such a loyal fan that the players know who you are. When Croatia qualified for the World Cup, there was no question about whether they would go. Of course they would. The only question was how. Luckily, because of their fan club membership, they were able to get tickets at a much lower price than many other people. So they planned a 35-day journey through Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Thirty-five days! That's more than a vacation. That's basically a football adventure. What's funny is that they booked flights to Mexico City before they even knew where Croatia would play. That's confidence. Or maybe that's a little bit crazy. Probably both. But for them, the World Cup is about sharing experiences with friends, meeting people from different countries, singing, celebrating, and creating memories together. One fan said the atmosphere before the opening match felt magical. People were singing in the streets. Fans from different countries were taking photos together. There was music, excitement, and energy everywhere. And honestly, that's one of the special things about the World Cup. For a few weeks, people from all over the world gather in one place and share the same excitement. Now let's move to another group. This story comes from the United States. Four childhood friends decided to meet in Los Angeles to watch the U.S. national team play. These friends grew up together. When they were younger, they used to watch World Cup matches before school. Years later, they live in different parts of America. One is in New York, another in Arizona, another in California. Life gets busy. People move away. But football brought them together again. Now here's the shocking part. They bought premium seats. Premium seats means the seats are better, closer to the field, and of course much more expensive. Premium (頂級的；高級的). And each ticket cost more than two thousand seven hundred dollars. Yes. For one match. Two thousand seven hundred dollars? That’s about eighty-five thousand Taiwanese dollars! That's enough money for a vacation in many countries. The fans admitted it was incredibly expensive. In fact, one of them criticized FIFA for using dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing means prices go up when demand increases. Dynamic (動態的). It's the same thing airlines often do. If more people want something, the price gets higher. The fans felt that this system makes football less accessible (容易得到的；容易接近的) to ordinary people. After all, football has traditionally been a sport for everyone, not just wealthy people. Still, despite the cost, they didn't regret going. Why? Because the experience wasn't really about the seat. It was about sharing the moment with lifelong friends. One fan said something that I really liked. He said that the premium experience came from being with his friends, not from the expensive ticket. I think that's true for many things in life. Sometimes the people you're with matter more than the thing you're doing. Now let's travel across the Atlantic Ocean and meet some Scottish (蘇格蘭的) fans. Their story is very different. Unlike the Americans who spent thousands of dollars, these Scottish fans tried to save every dollar possible. Scotland had not qualified for a World Cup since 1998. Think about that. Twenty-eight years. That's a very long wait. For many Scottish fans, this was their first chance in decades to see their team play in the World Cup. So they had to go. The problem was money. They didn't have huge budgets. So they became very creative. They used airline reward points (回饋點數). They shared hotel rooms. They stayed with friends whenever possible. Basically, they looked for every possible way to reduce costs. And guess what? It worked. When Scotland finally scored its first World Cup goal in twenty-eight years, the fans said it was a moment they would never forget. All the planning, all the saving, all the long flights—it was worth it. And I think that's a common theme in all these stories. The memories last longer than the money. Of course, not everyone travels only for football. One German couple had already planned a honeymoon in North America. Then they realized something. Wait a second. The World Cup will be happening at the same time. So they added a football match to their honeymoon. Not a bad idea, right? Imagine telling your future children, “We watched the World Cup during our honeymoon.” That's a pretty cool story. The couple managed to get relatively affordable (可負擔的) tickets through a German supporters' club. While they were surprised by some things—like paying almost twenty dollars for a beer—they loved the atmosphere. What impressed them most was the friendliness. Fans from different countries were talking together, taking photos together, and celebrating together. By the end of the trip, they felt the experience was even better than they had expected. So that's the fan side of the World Cup. But now let's switch perspectives (視角). Because if millions of people suddenly arrive in your city, somebody has to prepare for them. And that's where things get really interesting. Because hosting a World Cup is not as simple as opening a stadium and selling tickets. Think about it for a moment. Millions of people are coming from all over the world. They need places to stay. They need food. They need transportation. They need information. And most importantly, they need to get to the stadium on time. Now imagine what happens when tens of thousands of people all want to go to the same place at the same time. It sounds like a traffic nightmare, right? Well, that's exactly what many host cities are trying to avoid. Let's take Atlanta as an example. Atlanta is one of the host cities in the United States for the 2026 World Cup. The city expects huge crowds, and officials know that if everyone decides to drive to the stadium, things could become chaotic (災難性的) very quickly. So city planners are encouraging fans to use public transportation instead. Atlanta's public transportation system is called MARTA. Right now, MARTA is preparing for what could be the busiest weeks in its history. Train stations will be packed with fans wearing jerseys (球衣) from every corner of the world. People speaking different languages. Families carrying flags. Groups of friends singing football songs. It's going to be exciting, but it also needs to be organized. To handle the crowds, MARTA plans to run trains more frequently. Instead of waiting a long time between trains, fans will be able to move through the city more smoothly. The goal is simple. Get people to the stadium quickly and safely. Transportation can have a huge effect on a fan's experience. Imagine you spend thousands of dollars on a World Cup trip. You wake up excited. You put on your team's jersey. You grab your flag. And then you get stuck in traffic for three hours. Not exactly the dream experience. That's why transportation planning matters so much. But transportation is only part of the challenge. Cities also need to think about safety. Whenever a major international event takes place, security becomes a huge priority (優先事項). After all, millions of visitors are arriving. Large crowds gather in stadiums, train stations, fan zones, restaurants, and public squares. Officials need to make sure everyone feels safe. In Atlanta, security teams have been working closely with transportation authorities (當局). There will be additional police officers. More security checks. More monitoring systems. And faster communication between different agencies. The idea is not to make visitors nervous. It's actually the opposite. When security is well organized, most people don't even notice it. They simply enjoy the event and feel comfortable. That's really the goal. Now, something else many people don't think about is that the World Cup isn't only happening inside stadiums. In many cities, huge fan zones will be set up. These are public spaces where people can watch matches on giant screens. Sometimes thousands of fans gather together to watch games there. And here's the funny thing. Many people don't even have tickets to the match. They're just there to enjoy the atmosphere. And honestly, that's part of the magic. You might find yourself cheering for a country you've never visited. You might make friends with someone from another continent (洲). You might learn a few words in another language. The World Cup has a way of bringing strangers together. Of course, there's another challenge that cities cannot completely control. The weather. You've probably heard that experts are worried about extreme heat during the 2026 World Cup. Many of the matches take place in June and July. And some host cities can become very hot during the summer. Researchers have warned that several host cities face a high risk of extreme heat. That creates problems for players, fans, and workers. Imagine sitting outside in the sun for several hours. Maybe you're wearing a football jersey. Maybe you're waving a flag. Maybe you're jumping up and down every time your team attacks. That can be exhausting in very hot weather. Because of this, many cities are preparing cooling stations where people can rest and cool down. Some locations will provide misting fans. Others will create shaded areas. Medical teams will also be ready to help people who experience heat-related illnesses. Kansas City is one example. Kansas City is another city in the United States that will host World Cup games. Local organizers have created special heat-response plans. They want visitors to know how to stay safe, drink enough water, and recognize signs of heat exhaustion (衰竭). Some cities are even considering sending notifications to visitors' phones with weather updates and safety advice. It's kind of like having a local guide in your pocket. And heat isn't the only concern. In some parts of North America, wildfires (森林大火) have become more common in recent years. Sometimes wildfire smoke can affect air quality for days. Even cities in Canada, like Vancouver and Toronto, have experienced air quality warnings. If conditions become dangerous, organizers may need to delay matches or make changes to schedules. Now, hopefully, none of that happens. But the fact that cities are already preparing shows how seriously they are taking these risks. At this point, you might be wondering something. With expensive tickets, long flights, transportation challenges, security checks, possible weather problems, and crowded cities... why do people still go? That's actually my favorite part of this story. Because when you listen to the fans, almost nobody talks mainly about the money. Instead, they talk about memories. They talk about friendships. They talk about experiences. The Croatian fans talked about traveling together. The American friends talked about reconnecting after years apart. The Scottish supporters talked about finally seeing their country return to the World Cup. The German couple talked about sharing the experience during their honeymoon. In every story, football was important. But it wasn't the only thing. I think the magic is watching a game live in a stadium. And the World Cup gave people a reason to do so. A reason to travel, gather, and celebrate. And maybe that's why people continue to come, even when the prices seem crazy. Because some experiences cannot be measured only in dollars. Years from now, most people probably won't remember exactly how much they spent. But they'll remember the goal (進球) that made the stadium explode with excitement. They'll remember singing with thousands of strangers. They'll remember the friendships, the adventures, and the stories they brought home. And I think that's what makes the World Cup special. This football tournament is one of the few events that can bring together people from nearly every corner of the planet and make them feel like they're part of something bigger. So whether you're a football fan or not, the 2026 World Cup will be fascinating to watch. Are you watching the World Cup these days? Join millions of people and see them coming together for one shared experience! And that's all for 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. Bye! Powered by Firstory Hosting [https://firstory.me/zh]

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]