Chen Lien-Chiao X Wei Ju-Chun

Lianqiao: After getting up, I first tidy up the house, then make a cup of coffee to wake myself up and check whether the teaching materials or program information I need to prepare for the day are complete.

Ru-Jun: After getting up at around 5 or 6 every morning, I start preparing green smoothies for the whole family’s breakfast. Because my body developed some health issues three years ago, I made some adjustments to my diet and try to keep breakfast as simple and healthy as possible. Green smoothies are very convenient, allowing me to quickly consume a large amount of fruits and vegetables without requiring much effort to prepare, while replenishing the energy I need for the day.

Lianqiao: The places I go to most often are Ningxia Night Market and Dadaocheng, because they are nearby and conveniently located. Sometimes, when I’m too lazy to cook dinner, I go there to eat—it’s convenient, and there are plenty of choices. Besides, everyone is wearing masks these days, so no one can recognize me anyway! (Laughs loudly)

Ru-Jun: Because of my work, I often travel to various places around Taiwan. On holidays, I also move around different districts of Taipei for the sign language interpretation association’s classes. I think the place I visit most frequently is probably the MRT stations.

Lianqiao: My hometown is Zhongli. I lived in a military dependents’ village when I was little, and later, after it was demolished, I moved nearby. Whenever I return to my hometown, I still make a special trip by bus to Zhongzhen New Village to eat at “Guoqi House Rice Noodles” and reminisce about life in the military dependents’ village. The assorted rice noodles at Guoqi House offer excellent value for money—the entire bowl is filled with ingredients.

Ru-Jun: Northern-style noodles and red beans are foods I find hard to resist. I especially love red bean cakes and red bean paste pancakes.

1. I highly recommend trying the red bean pancake from Peiping Wanzhenlou. The chewy pancake skin paired with plenty of red beans means you can enjoy several slices!https://www.facebook.com/%E8%90%AC%E7%8F%8D%E6%A8%93-938035889609430

2. Wangnian Dumplings at the Alley Entrance, near MRT Zhongshan Junior High School Station, serves rice, noodles, and other noodle dishes. The most frequently ordered dish is tomato soup dumplings.https://www.facebook.com/handmadedumplingfun/posts/3068516803228741

Lianqiao: I like walking around the Dadaocheng area, exercising by the riverbank, or occasionally going to the library to read the newspapers (laughs).

Ru-Jun: For me, brisk walking is a very relaxing activity. I set a goal of walking 10,000 steps every day, and I go brisk walking in a park or on a school track almost every evening.

Ru-Jun: Being a sign language interpreter gives us a sense of accomplishment, as Deaf friends can connect with the world through us. This sense of accomplishment and mission drives us to immerse ourselves in this role.

The most memorable experience was when a Deaf friend told me how grateful she was to sign language interpreters. Thirty years ago, an accident happened to a family member of hers who was also hard of hearing. Without a sign language interpreter, the entire family suffered a tragic outcome. She told me that if there had been a sign language interpreter at the time, the situation would certainly have been different. This made me deeply realize the importance of our profession.

Usually, interpreters only find out who they will be serving when they arrive on site. Sometimes, you go to interpret and discover that the person is a friend you know well—that feeling can be shocking! I think sign language interpreters often become involved in Deaf friends’ lives, but at the same time, we must maintain a high level of ethical awareness and not make Deaf friends feel that their privacy is being intruded upon.

Ru-Jun: I love this language and think signing in the air is so beautiful!

I remember being fascinated when I was in middle school and saw sign-language songs on television. When I saw a sign language club at university, I signed up right away. I have always had an innate fondness for sign language. Sign language is a visual language, and I am a little better at learning visual languages than auditory ones. Especially as I gradually became more familiar with sign language, the joy and sense of achievement I felt from being able to help deaf friends made me realize the value of my own existence.

Ru-Jun: Indeed, there is relatively little protection in Taiwan. In Taiwan, sign language interpreting fees are all funded by government subsidies, and everyone is competing for a share of this pie. As a result, very few people work as full-time sign language interpreters; most work part-time because they still need to rely on the salary from a full-time job for financial support. My interest in sign language is the primary reason I do it. This is a job I truly love, so I will never give it up.

Lianqiao: When I was attending the School for the Deaf, I watched a dance performance. The dancers’ expressions were very vivid, and I could feel their joy as they performed, which deeply moved me! Later, I saw the National Theater of the Deaf (NTD) in the United States perform “The Human Camera,” using their bodies to portray different scenes. They would play several people at once and then suddenly become the narrator. This form of performance is very suitable for deaf people. So I began practicing acting, physical performance, and so on…

Lianqiao: I hope people can come to understand and value deaf people through my performances. We are no different from hearing people; we can do anything.

Lianqiao: I’ve been quite optimistic since I was little. Happiness is contagious—as long as I maintain a happy outlook, the atmosphere around me will change accordingly. Sometimes I also experience negative emotions, but whenever I think about how I can bring joy to everyone, I feel happy too!

Lianqiao: “The Worry-Relieving Laughter Shop”—Ba Nai-shun’s Doodle Diary is illustrated and funny. After work, I like to read something relaxing, and the jokes in it can also become material for performances. There is a passage I think is wonderful: ‘Don’t take life too seriously, and don’t be too calculating about living. Let’s laugh together, laugh out loud together~ The days filled with sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy experiences are actually a free tonic!’”

Rujun: Almost all the books I read are related to sign language and hearing impairment because of my work. Sign language has become inseparable from my daily life. Inspired by the American sign language communication picture book “MY FIRST BABY SIGNS,” our association recently also created an interactive handmade book. By interacting with and manipulating the picture book, children can become more interested in learning. The mechanisms, graphic design, and illustrations in this book were all completed by deaf friends, combining everyone’s expertise. I really enjoy the process of asking questions and listening; without realizing it, I grow through the process!

Lianqiao: The Taiwanese landscape that attracts me the most is the Zengwen Reservoir. The mountains and forests surrounding the reservoir are very tranquil and peaceful. However, it is a bit far away. When the weather is good, you can take a boat tour of the lake and admire the reservoir’s beautiful scenery from another perspective.

Tseng-Wen Reservoir Recreation Co., Ltd.http://www.godapu.com/

Rujun: I really enjoy Taiwan’s mountain scenery and rice paddies. Every year, I arrange a family cycling trip through Hualien and Taitung, riding from Hualien to Taitung. Along the entire route, you can admire the grandeur and vastness of nature, with rice paddies stretching out before you and layers of mountain peaks overlapping in the distance. The uphill and downhill sections along the way are like life experiences—sometimes you encounter adversity, and sometimes things go smoothly. I highly recommend two routes: one is the Yufu Bikeway from Yuli to Fuli, the only bikeway that crosses two tectonic plates; the other is Hualien County Route 193. Both are highly distinctive local cycling routes!

East Rift Valley National Scenic Area_Nine Cycling Routeshttps://theme.erv-nsa.gov.tw/bicycle/Article.aspx?a=123&l=1

Lianqiao: When staying in a room, having a window facing outdoors is a definite plus. Above all, the environment should be clean, with a simple, uncluttered style.

Ru-Jun: Having a quiet place to stay is very important to me! Noise is what bothers me most when staying away from home, especially the quality of the soundproofing, which cannot be determined from photos on a website.

Lianqiao: Once, I was passing by Tiaotong and was drawn to the artwork painted outside the windows. It was only later that I learned it was your hotel! The building’s all-white exterior and colorful animal decals on the windows look especially fresh and vibrant amid the streets of old Taipei.

Ru-Jun: My home happens to be near your Fuxing North Road branch. I was very impressed by the lobby when I passed by before—it has a grand, minimalist design that still feels welcoming.