i am doing great中文的八卦，YOUTUBE、PTT和Yahoo名人娛樂都在討論

【 小英的哥大演講 】

前兩天蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen 總統在哥倫比亞大學Columbia University in the City of New York 的演講感動了許多人，我也一直想要跟大家好好分享對這篇講稿的心得。想歸想，但卻沒時間動筆。

一直到昨天，BBC 中文網（繁體） 有篇談這場演講的報導（後面有一小段引用了對我的訪問），然後發達資本主義時代的打油詩人 跟我在臉書上聊這件事。我們兩個雖然都很想談談這篇講稿，但週末都忙著同一件事：帶小孩（他帶他的、我帶我的）。但再不寫大概就沒人想談了，所以只好趁現在小孩睡覺後開始寫。

前天我曾經在臉書上請大家好好讀這篇講稿，中文英文都要看。有關中文的部分，朱宥勳 已經有很精彩的寫作技巧分析，大家可以去看看。

這一篇貼文會從英文文稿（這場演講是以英文進行的）跟一些比較宏觀的角度切入。

✍️為什麼是紐約？為什麼是哥大？

很多人都知道小英總統是英國倫敦政經學院的博士（好吧，有些人到現在還在懷疑），小英講英文時也有很雋永的英國腔，但大家比較容易忽略的是，紐約（美國）才是她第一個異鄉求學的地方。她當時就讀康乃爾大學Cornell University ，位於紐約州的漂亮小城Ithaca。

所以也許不難想像紐約這個大城市，在當時對一個在台北長大的乖乖牌學生，所產生的人生衝擊。小英不但順利拿到碩士學位，還考過了全美難考的紐約州律師考試（美國的律師考試是不同地方分開考的，難易不一，比較難的一般來說是紐約、芝加哥跟加州）。我想紐約對於小英來說，是充滿許多回憶的。

小英在紐約的公開演講曾說：「這是她第一次以中華民國總統的身份造訪紐約」。從這個背景來看小英的英文講稿，不難發現，前四段事實上是給紐約客（New Yorker）的溫暖起手式：

✍️Receiving an invitation to speak here from such a vanguard of free speech and diversity is actually quite an honor.
能受邀來這所以言論自由及多元包容著稱的校園座談，我實在備感榮幸。

🐶小英在演講的第一句話，就點出了紐約這城市對她的意義：言論自由、多元。

為什麼要特別講這一點？因為她當年就讀Cornell時，台灣發生了美麗島事件跟林宅血案。你可以想像，在多元自由的紐約校園，卻聽到家鄉發生重大事件，內心有多震撼。

✍️ I graduated from Cornell Law School in 1980, and I have to say, being back on a New York campus brings back many memories. Though I’m sure many of you would say that any campus outside of New York City is not really part of New York.
我在1980年畢業於康乃爾大學，再度回到久違的紐約校園，勾起我許多的回憶。雖然，或許在場有人會說，任何紐約市以外的校園都不能算是紐約。

🐶這一段是insider joke，非紐約人可能看不懂，紐約人聽到應該笑呵呵。為什麼？前面已經說了，Cornell位於紐約州的Ithaca，但不是位於紐約市內，所以這個笑話是小英的自嘲：我知道我念的學校沒有位於紐約市（New York City）內，你們一定覺得那不能算是「紐約校園」。說白了，這有點像是天龍國笑話或是「天母是天龍中的天龍」之類的。

講到這，看看哥大的臉書名稱：Columbia University in the City of New York （位於紐約市的哥倫比亞大學），不覺得很幽默嗎？這是在開其他沒有位於紐約市（也許位於紐約州）大學的玩笑。（你能想像台大的臉書名稱說「位於台北的台大」嗎？）

✍️However, I actually lived in the city in the summer of 1979, when I was doing research work for a professor at the East Asia Institute of Columbia University. Later on, I passed the New York Bar examination here, and visited the city from time to time, sometimes on my way to Washington DC for trade negotiations.
然而我在1979年夏天曾經真正住過紐約，協助哥倫比亞大學東亞研究所的一位教授做研究。而我在通過紐約州律師考試後，就更常走訪紐約，有時是在前往華府做貿易談判時會經過紐約。

🐶接續上一段的笑點，打鐵趁熱，小英為自己的「紐約經驗」多加一點正當性。她說她當時曾經協助哥倫比亞大學東亞研究所的一位教授做研究。哥大位於紐約市內，這下總不能說我不是紐約人了吧？

✍️Life in New York in the 1980s was eye opening for a young law student from not quite democratized Taiwan. Diversity and different perspectives were the norm, and looking out across the lecture hall today, I am glad to see that has not changed.
對一個來自當時尚未完全民主化的臺灣的法律系學生來說，1980年代的紐約生活真的令我眼界大開，多元化和不同的見解竟然才是正常。我很高興，從這講台放眼望出去，一切都如此熟悉，絲毫未曾改變。

🐶這一段，事實上講的是台灣當時還沒解嚴，而且發生了美麗島事件。小英講的委婉，沒有指名道姓，只說台灣當時尚未完全民主化。

以上四段，是非常成功的破冰（ice-breaking）。破冰是公共演講的重要技巧，做得好，能夠化解一開始的尷尬與緊張，並連結講者與聽眾的關係。開場做得好，也有助接下來的演講氣氛跟節奏的掌握。

所以好的幕僚真的很重要，也真的能讓你上天堂。幕僚寫稿的功力也在這裡，帶出個人情感（personal touch），讓老闆掌握演講節奏，這是需要專業訓練的。


✍️In the early days of our political transition, some said democracy could not survive in China’s shadow. And Taiwan is now home to a thriving democratic society and political system.
我們在政治轉型初期，很多人說在中國陰影的籠罩下，我們的民主不可能存活下來。然而，現在臺灣已然成為民主社會和政治制度蓬勃發展的居所。

🐶我喜歡survive in China's shadow這個詞的用法，這可以提醒聽眾，今日許多國家，甚至包括美國，都還在擔憂中國的銳實力（sharp power）。西方國家對於要不要禁用華為爭論不休，也可以視為一種中國的陰影。


✍️Some said a resource-poor island of only 23 million people could not become a major economic player. Yet we are now the United States’ 11th largest trade partner.
有人說，人口只有兩千三百萬而且資源匱乏的小島，無法成為經濟的主要推手，然而現在我們已經變成美國的第11大貿易夥伴了。

🐶這是很漂亮的對比，從資源匱乏的小國變成美國的重要貿易夥伴。


✍️Some said progressive values could not take root in East Asian society. Yet I stand here before you as Taiwan’s first woman president, and this year we became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
有人說，先進的價值觀無法於東亞社會生根。但今天，我是以臺灣第一位女總統的身分站在各位面前，而今年臺灣也已經躍為亞洲第一個同婚合法的國家。

🐶progressive這個字，我習慣翻譯成「進步」，但總統府的翻譯為「先進」。這一段很生動的描繪了台灣在性別平權上的進展，對台灣的形象是很好的宣傳。


✍️In short, Taiwan’s story is one of seemingly improbable success. Many call Taiwan a “democratic miracle,” but I don’t believe in miracles. I believe in the will of the people, and their vision for a better world.
簡言之，臺灣就是在不可能的環境下成就了可能。許多人稱臺灣為「民主奇蹟」，但我不是奇蹟的信徒。我相信的是人民的意志，以及對更美好未來的願景。

🐶「奇蹟的信徒」在中文是個華麗的修辭，但英文用的是大家國中都學過的文法：believe 是相信，believe in 是信仰。有沒有 in 差很多。


✍️We are seeing this threat in action right now in Hong Kong. Faced with no channel to make their voices heard, young people are taking to the streets to fight for their democratic freedoms. And the people of Taiwan stand with them.

我們看到這個威脅正在衝擊香港，年輕人沒有管道發聲，只好走上街頭為民主自由拼搏。我們臺灣人民決心和他們站在一起。

Hong Kong’s experience under “one country, two systems” has shown the world once and for all that authoritarianism and democracy cannot coexist.
香港的「一國兩制」經驗，向世界明白揭破了獨裁和民主無法共存的事實。

🐶沒有任何一個場合，比台灣總統親自在美國談香港逃犯條例的議題更適合了。這一點我相信能贏得很多聽眾共鳴。如果真的要挑剔的話，我也許會思考一個問題：加上新疆集中營或甚至西藏議題，會不會比較好？加跟不加都各有利弊，也許文稿小組最後決定讓演講更聚焦。


✍️You begin to censor your own speech, your own thoughts. You no longer discuss current events with your friends, for fear of being overheard. You spend more time looking over your shoulder than you spend looking towards the future.
你開始審查自己的言論和想法，不再和朋友討論時事，因為害怕被竊聽，大部分時間都提心吊膽的前瞻後顧，根本無法好好面對未來。

🐶我喜歡這一段的節奏。也因為這一段，我猜測這篇講稿應該是「以英文寫成，再翻譯成中文」，而非「以中文寫成，再翻譯成英文」。為什麼？因為You spend more time looking over your shoulder than you spend looking towards the future. 用了前面跟後面的修辭。


✍️Our story is one of perseverance, of a commitment to democracy against all odds.
我們的故事是堅毅不撓的故事，是力抗萬難，堅守民主的故事。

Ours is a story of why values do still matter. The cultural and political differences across the Taiwan Strait only grow wider by the day; and each day that Taiwan chooses freedom of speech, human rights, the rule of law, is a day that we drift farther from the influences of authoritarianism.
我們的故事在訴說，為什麼核心價值如此的重要。臺海兩岸在文化及政治上的歧異日趨擴大。臺灣選擇言論自由、人權及法治的每一天，都讓我們與獨裁政權漸行漸遠。

🐶Against all odds 強調台灣民主及經濟發展難能可貴。
A story of why values do still matter. 強調台灣跟中國最大的差異:價值。


✍️Authoritarian governments seek to exploit press freedoms unique to democratic societies to sow dissent among us. They hope to make us question our political systems and lose faith in democracy.
獨裁政府企圖利用民主社會的新聞自由，在我們之間挑撥對立，要讓我們懷疑我們的政治制度，好讓我們對民主失落信心。

Taiwan has been on the frontlines of this battle for years, and we have a great deal of experiences to offer to the world.
臺灣多年來一直站在這場戰爭的前線，我們有太多經驗可以與世界分享。

🐶這一段強調台灣在全球資訊戰的價值及經驗，凸顯台灣是美國重要盟邦的重要性。

✍️But democracy faces other challenges as well, especially in the form of economic enticements with hidden strings attached.
然而民主還面臨其他挑戰，特別是暗藏算計的經濟誘惑。

🐶這在講什麼？包括中國對台灣的統戰，也包括中國對其他國家的一帶一路及所帶來的債權陷阱（debt trap）。


✍️So to all the people who ask me how to make the choice between democracy and economic growth, I say the choice is clear: the two are inseparable.
很多人問我如何在民主與經濟成長之間作出抉擇，我的答案很清楚，就是：兩者密不可分。

History tells us that democracies are strongest when united, and weakest when divided.
歷史告訴我們，民主國家團結時最強，分裂時最弱。

🐶這邊改寫了英文寫作常用的名言錦句：United we stand, divided we fall。寫得很漂亮，沒話說。

😄😄😄

我只挑了一些段落跟大家分享，希望大家喜歡，也算是完成發達資本主義時代的打油詩人 交代給我的任務。

忘了說，哥大的黎安友（Andrew Nathan）教授是小英這次訪紐約的靈魂人物，他是友台派中國通的祖師爺級人物，台灣許多教授及政治人物都上過他的課。我在清大就讀中國研究碩士時，Andy（我們都這麼稱呼他）也來清大上過短期講座，現在回想起來，當時能在新竹上他的課真的太幸福了（畢竟清大不在紐約市，學費也不能跟長春藤盟校相比😂）。

半夜兩點了，來睏。（發文的霎那，螢幕跳出喬帥擊敗費爸的新聞，我整個錯過了比賽....😭）

Ps. 本篇文章謝謝打油詩人給我一些靈感，但如果有寫錯的地方，文責當然自負。

（本篇引用的中英文講稿內容來自中華民國總統府官網）

護台胖犬 劉仕傑
Instagram: old_dog_chasing_ball （老狗追球）

我是國榮。來自澳洲昆士蘭省，讀中學時成績非常好，分數已足夠在大學選讀任何一科。當時我希望成為一名醫生，因為可以幫助他人。我在新南威爾斯大學讀醫科，第一年是住在雪梨北區一個朋友家中，第二年入住大學國際宿舍，宿舍規定最少有半數是留學生，不是澳洲人。最先兩年結識了不少香港、新加玻、馬來西亞的朋友，與他們很合得來，不過最重要是入住宿舍後，便遇到了香港的流行歌曲。有一天我行經走廊時，聽到一些很悅耳的音樂，我便問同學這是甚麽歌曲及可否借給我欣賞，他便借了給我。我已忘記是Leslie還是Alan的歌，但肯定是其中一位。因為很喜歡這些歌曲，便到唐人街購買，後來一邊聽歌一邊看歌詞，因此慢慢地學識了很多中文字。
因為喜歡唱歌，所以在大學的同學活動，開始演唱中文歌，也曾參加香港學生會舉辦的歌唱比賽，參賽歌曲是「愛的根源」，結果獲得亞軍。我很清楚記得，國際宿舍為了文化交流，每年舉辦一次國際晚宴，希望不同種族的學生可以表演和分享文化。Leslie在一九八五年 唱Monica獲得獎項，那是一首我很喜歡的歌曲，所以在文化交流晚會我便選擇唱Monica。當時同學覺得很驚奇，我怎可能唱Monica。我是跟着錄影帶，學習他的舞步和唱歌技巧。我不停地在公眾地方練習，其他同學看到我很用心練習，也過來幫助我。在台上表演時有幾位同學為我伴舞，當晚演出非常成功。
一九八五年Leslie和幾位香港天皇巨星，來澳洲開演唱會。演唱會的主辦公司，需要義務司機，朋友問我能否當義務司機。我答應了，後來知道是當Leslie的司機。有一天他放假不用排練，我們便駕車往坎培拉，當日天氣多雲有微雨，甚麽也看不清楚，喝過咖啡後便離開，回程是Leslie駕駛，他的英語非常好，途中我們愉快地暢談，這次旅程對我來說是很重要的事情。
一九八六年Alan到來澳洲，我又當了他的司機。在他入住的酒店，介紹人在偶像面前，誤把我的名字說成河詠麟，當時在偶像面前我也不懂怎樣矯正。大約有兩年很多人以為我是河詠麟。他的四位女和音，知道我懂得唱他的歌，所以告訴了他，在排練那天他叫我上台一起唱。認識Leslie 和Alan兩位巨星，對我的影響很大，聽到他們的歌，和看到觀眾的反應，我開始對香港的歌唱發展很重視。
因為常常想着唐人街和唱歌，沒有用功讀書，因此醫科的第三年考試不合格，需要重讀，在一九八六年重讀了三個月便決定退學。
後來做了三份洗碗碟工作，還做了個多月砌磚的工作，我把工作一年多，所得工資儲起來，買了一張單程機票和帶了一千澳元，便到來香港發展。唯一的準備是問一個朋友能否到他的家中居住。他的父親很勉強地答應，但需要收租金。我甚麽準備也沒有，只是刻意買了一張單程機票，是因為不想遇到少許困難便放棄，返回澳洲。
初到香港時甚麼都不認識，沒有計劃，也沒有朋友。我最先是住在廣播道，但我的朋友不是在那裡居住，因為他還在讀書。初來時沒有事做，所以在外面逛了幾天，有一天意外地行到紅磡體育館，中門外有四名男士在吸煙，他們竟然叫我河詠麟。原來他們是Alan的樂隊成員，在一九八六年見過面，但相隔一年，竟然還可以記起我，這就是緣分。當時Alan正在為演唱會排練，他們帶我進去體育館，這樣便再見到Alan。一九八七年的演唱會是三十一場，我看了三十場。本來打算看足三十一場，但是有少許問題出現，因為我住的地方有規定，晚上十時半後便會關門，不會再讓人進出。但演唱會是不會這麽早便完場，每晚看完演唱會，我會行去尖沙嘴，然後再步行回廣播道，然後在公園外的石椅小睡，到五時公園開門便進去睡覺，但最終因捱不住，有一晚沒有去看演唱會。有一次Alan突然問我，今晚可否上台唱歌，我說當然可以，便成為他的嘉賓。我第一次表演Alan十分開心，但第二次他在台上介紹，有一個外國人，唱他的歌十分出色，當他呼喚河詠麟出場，因為我不在場，所以沒有出現。後來他問我為何沒有出現，我便向他解釋原因，他便安排我入住酒店，直到演唱會完結。所以便有第三次呼喚我上台，這是我第二次成為嘉賓跟他一起唱「朋友」，真是十分興奮。到八月他的生日會也有邀請我做嘉賓，其實每一件發生的事情都是有關係的。
後來我在北角僑冠大厦租了一間劏房居住，有一次從北角行到中環，看到一間職業介紹公司的招聘啟示，我便前往應徵。當時職員說我可以教英文，但我不是教師，他認為沒有問題，便介紹我到一間補習社工作。在補習社工作了幾個月，有一位同事看到一張電視台的海報，需要招聘 一個西方人，但要懂得說中文。我致電應徵，他是一位獨立經紀，我說沒有經驗和廣東話也不是很好，他說沒有問題。我便去見一位電視台女監製，她給我一段英文劇本，要我讀出來。因為很緊張，五分鐘都不能出聲，我跟自己說，不嘗試會後侮一生。那一段對白是警官責備下級，責備人一定是很大聲的，所以我便很大聲說出來。當時她正在做自己的事，沒有再理會我，但我的叫聲使她大吃一驚。因為沒有其他外國人給她選擇，她無奈地聘請了我，這套劇集需要兩個西方人，另外一位是當主角，從那時開始，便在電視台工作了二十年。
二零一四年九月我在N o w T V的一個音樂節目做嘉賓，在一間音樂室裡我和三位節目主持人，唱歌和談論音樂。到最近才知道，他們三位是100毛的老闆。到聖誕100毛找我拍攝雜誌封面，我不知為何找我拍攝封面，原來三位老闆是認識我的，只是我自己不知道。
二零一五年八月他們聯絡我，他們有一首歌，問我會否願意演唱，那首歌曲我很熟悉，歌詞十分口語化，應該可以學到的。但當時是星期五，表演是在星期日，只得兩天時間作準備，所以我很用心練習。舞台是有電視屏幕可以看到歌詞，但我盡量避免看電視屏幕，只是有需要時才看一看，便可以放心地唱。能夠上台非常開心，我可以扮了演一個角色，唱一首悅耳和有趣的歌，觀眾很熱鬧和興奮，真是十分難得。我知道這是一生一次，這不是自己可以做到，是他們給我機會。那首歌很受歡迎，而且登上了流行榜。聖誕節前他們聯絡我，表示將會舉辦總選，問我會否參加，我便欣然答應了。當天每位表演者，會有兩首歌曲，在十二月廿六日接到新歌，我從沒有聽過那首歌，是一首說唱歌曲，而且歌詞很陌生，對我來說十分困難，所以我不停地練習了四百多次。當晚表演由Now T V直播，有七十萬人觀看，想不到自己能夠獲得香港區最受歡迎男歌星獎，當宣佈我的名字時，極度開心，無人能想到，唱出真香港的歌曲，是由一個西方人唱出，可以感動到別人。這是天時地利人和，超乎現實，簡直是一個奇蹟。因為那首歌不是我揀選，是別人給我的，練習這首歌時眼睛常常都會充了滿淚水和很感動。
西方人在香港發展演藝事業是十分困難的，機會不多，只能扮演一些無關重要的角色，但我從來沒有想過放棄。五年前我計劃灌錄一張唱片，因為胃酸倒流，把聲帶灼傷，使我聲音變得沙啞，這件事使我非常懊惱，因為辛苦練習多年，卻發生了這個問題，後來我矯正了唱歌方法，問題得以改善，可以繼續唱歌，現在準備為唱片再進行錄音工作。
最近有很多關於少數族裔的事情出現在我身上 ，現在我為一個港台節目做旁白，是關於少數族裔在香港。他們在本地娛樂圈發展是十分困難，因為在一個有九成是同一種族的地方，看電視或電影，也是會看自己的種族，未必會看少數族裔。如果他們幾個人合作，做一個節目，然後在網上發放，是有機會成功。香港有很多少數族裔居住，有些人的中文比我好，他們也愛香港。
我心目中的香港人，是要做香港人做的事，吃香港人吃的食物，關心香港，不看膚色，希望他們也能說廣東話，最重要是覺得香港是自己的家，這便是真正的香港人。

I am Gregory. I hail from Queensland, Australia. During my high school years, my grades were excellent. They were good enough for me to enroll in any subject that I wanted to in university. At that time, I wanted to become a doctor because I could help others. I studied Medicine at the University of New South Wales. In my first year, I lived in my friend’s home located in North Sydney. During my second year, I lived in International House at the university. It was a rule for the school campus to have at least 50 percent overseas students. They cannot be Australians. I met a lot of Hong Kong, Singaporean and Malaysian friends in my first two years. I was able to get along with them very well. But what is most important was that after living in International House, I came across Hong Kong pop music. One day I was walking along the corridors and overheard beautifully melodic music. I asked my classmate what music he was listening to and if he could lend me the music to listen to. He leant it to me.
I have forgotten whether it was the music of Leslie or Alan. But I am sure it was one of them because I really liked that kind of music. I went to Chinatown to buy it. Eventually, I listened to the music as I read the lyrics. In turn, I slowly picked up a lot of Chinese characters.
I attended many different functions to perform Cantonese songs in university because I really liked to sing. I also attended a singing competition organized by the Hong Kong student association. The competition song was ‘Root of Love’. In the end I won second runner-up. I clearly remember International House wanted to organize cultural exchanges so they held international banquets each year. Their hope was for students from different ethnic backgrounds to perform and share their culture.
In 1985, Leslie won an award for singing ‘Monica’. It was a song that I really loved. During the international cultural exchange banquet, I chose to sing ‘Monica’. At that time my classmates were very surprised. How can I sing ‘Monica’? I followed the videos to learn the dance steps and singing techniques. I kept on practicing in public. Other students witnessed how hard I was practicing and came over to help me out. A few classmates became my accompanying dancers as I danced on stage. The performance that night was extremely successful.
Leslie and a group of Hong Kong superstars visited Australia to hold concerts in 1985. The concert organizer needed a voluntary driver. My friends asked me whether I wanted to be the voluntary driver. I accepted the offer. In the end I found out that I would become Leslie’s driver. There was one day when he was on break and did not need to rehearse. We drove to Canberra. It was cloudy and there was light rain on that day. We could not see clearly. After having a coffee, we left. Leslie was next to drive. His English was very good. During the journey back we chatted happily. The trip was very important to me.
In 1986, Alan came to Australia. I was also his driver. Our mutual friend misread my name as “Ho Wing Lun” in front of my idol during his stay at the hotel. I was not able to correct him at the time because Alan (“Wing Lun”) was my idol. Many people thought I was called “Ho Wing Lun” for around two years. His four back-up singers knew I was able to sing Alan’s songs. That was why they told him about it. During rehearsal day, he told me to sing with him on stage. Knowing superstars like Leslie and Alan had a great impact on me. To be able to listen to their songs and to witness the reactions from the audience led me to become interested in a singing career in Hong Kong.
I did not put in a lot of effort in my studies because I always thought of Chinatown and singing. Consequently, I failed my medical examinations in my third year. I had to re-take my subjects. In 1986, I re-took my studies for three months but then I decided to quit school.
In the end I juggled three dish washing jobs and also many months of brick laying work. I saved up a whole year of my salary and bought a one-way ticket to Hong Kong. I also carried $1000 Australian dollars on me. I then went to Hong Kong to develop my career. I only asked my friend whether I could stay at his place as preparation to living in my new homeland. His father reluctantly agreed but had to receive rent. I did not have anything equipped or prepared. I only purposely bought a one-way ticket because I did not want to easily give up when I encountered minor difficulties and return to Australia.
When I first arrived in Hong Kong, I did not know anything. I did not have any plans. I also did not have any friends. Initially, I lived in Broadcast Drive but my friend did not live there because he was still studying. I did not have anything to do at first. That was why I hung around Hong Kong for several days. One day, by coincidence, I came across Hung Hom Coliseum. At the entrance, there were four men smoking. They noticed me and surprisingly called out “Ho Wing Lun”. They were, in fact, members of Alan’s band. We have first met in 1986. Surprisingly, they remembered me after a whole year. That is called fate. At that time, Alan was preparing for his concert. The four men brought me inside the Coliseum. I saw Alan. There were 31 shows in his 1987 concert. I watched 30 of them. I intended to watch all 31 shows but there was a slight problem. There were rules at my guest house. After ten thirty each night, the door to the home will be locked. Nobody was allowed to enter or leave the house. But concerts do not end so early. So, after watching each concert in the evening, I would walk to Tsim Sha Tsui and then walk back to Broadcast Drive. I would sleep on the concreate seats outside the park. When the park opens at five in the morning, I will go in and sleep. Eventually, I was unable to handle it. One night I cannot watch a show. Once Alan asked me “Can you sing on stage tonight?” I told him “Of course I can.” I became his special guest. Alan was extremely happy when I first performed. By the second show, he announced that: “There is a westerner who can sing my songs very well.” He called out my name “Ho Wing Lun!” But because I was not at the scene, I did not show up. Eventually, he asked me why I did not show up. I explained my reason to him. He then arranged a hotel for me to stay at until the end of the concert. That was why he was able to call me out the third time! That was my second time as special guest singing “Friends” with him. It was exhilarating. In August, he introduced me as a special guest at his birthday party. Actually, everything happens for a reason and everything is interconnected.
Soon after, I rented a tiny flat at a building in North Point to live in. I walked from North Point to Central once. I came across a recruitment agency looking to hire. I went in to give it a shot. At that time, the staff said I could teach English but I was not a teacher. The staff said it was not a problem and introduced me to work at a learning center. After working there for a few months, a colleague saw a TV station’s poster. They were looking to recruit a westerner but that person needs to be able to speak Cantonese. I called to give it a try. The person who answered was an independent agent. I told that agent I had no experience and my Cantonese was not very good. The agent told me it was not a problem. I went to see the TV station’s female producer. She gave me an English script and wanted me to read it out. I was so nervous that I did not utter a word in five minutes. I told myself, if I do not try, I will regret it for life. The dialogue depicted a police telling off a subordinate. When you tell someone off, you must be very loud so, I read my lines out very loudly. At that time, the female producer was doing her own work and did not care about me but because I was so loud, I frightened her! As there were no other westerners for her to choose from, she had no choice but to hire me. The TV show required two westerners. The other westerner played the main character. From then onwards, I worked at the TV station for twenty years.
In September 2014, I appeared as a guest on a NowTV music program. I was in a band room with the three show hosts. We sang and discussed music. Only recently, I found out that they were the Founders of 100 Most. When it was Christmas, 100 Most invited me to appear on the cover of their magazine. I did not know why they wanted me to do it – only to find out that the Founders of the magazine already knew who I was! It was just me who did not know that.
In August 2015, 100 Most contacted me and asked me whether I wanted to sing this particular song. I was very familiar with the song lyrics. The lyrics were very colloquial. I should be able to learn it. It was Friday. The performance was on Sunday. I only had two days to prepare for it. That was why I practiced very hard. The stage showcased the lyrics. But I tried my best not to look at them. I would only glance at them when I needed to. I felt more confident and assured as I sang.
I was extremely elated to be able to perform on stage. I can play a role singing a wonderful and amusing song. The audience was super warm and excited. It was a moment to be treasured. I know this can only happen once in my life. It cannot be done by myself. It is because I was given a chance by 100 Most. The song was very popular and hit the charts. Before Christmas, 100 Most contacted me and expressed that there would be a final election of the songs. They asked me whether I would like to participate. I was more than happy to give it a try. On the day of the show, each contestant would have two songs.
On the 26th of December, I received the new song. I have never heard of the song before. It was a rap song. I was very unfamiliar with the lyrics. I found them very difficult. That was why I kept practicing it for more than four hundred times. The show was broadcasted live by NowTV. Around seven hundred thousand people watched the broadcast. I cannot imagine winning the Best Hong Kong Male Singer. When my name was announced, I was extremely delighted. Nobody can imagine that a westerner was able to sing a song about ‘real Hong Kong’. It can touch people. It was something that happened at the right place and at the right time. It was also surreal and a complete miracle. It is because the song was not selected by me. It was given to me by others. My eyes were often wet from practicing this song. I was very touched.
It is very difficult for westerners to develop their artistry in the entertainment industry. Chances are slim. They can only play roles that are irrelevant and unimportant. But I never thought of giving up. Five years ago I planned to record my own album. But because of stomach acid reflux, my vocal chords got damaged. My voice became hoarse and coarse. It brought me a lot of frustrations because I have worked hard for many years. Then this happened. I then amended my singing techniques and the issue improved significantly. I was able to sing again. I am now working on re-recording my new album.
A lot of ethnic minority issues materialized around me as of late. I am currently the voice over for a RTHK program about ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. It is very hard for them to develop their career in the local entertainment industry. It is because when 90 percent of the people share the same skin color comes together in a particular place, those watching TV or film will tend to watch people of their own skin color. They may not watch ethnic minorities. If a group of ethnic minorities work together to create a program for the web, it may work out. There are a lot of ethnic minorities residing in Hong Kong. Some of their Chinese is better than mine. They also love Hong Kong very much.
‘Hong Kongers’, to me, are people who need to do things ‘Hong Kongers’ do. Eat Hong Kong food. Care about Hong Kong. And do not look at skin color. I hope they can also speak Cantonese. Most importantly, they should regard Hong Kong as their home. Then, they are ‘real Hong Kongers’.

台北時間昨天深夜，微軟宣布了他們的新CEO，印度出身的資深微軟人納達拉Satya Nadella。

微軟是全世界最成功的科技公司之一。不過科技巨人面對行動裝置時代，現在也陷入苦戰，在這樣的時刻，微軟啟用公司老將，46歲的印度移民納達拉。納達拉在印度讀完大學，才到美國威斯康辛以及芝加哥分別攻讀電機以及MBA。

我很喜歡他寫給微軟員工的公開信，他豪氣地說: 在我們這一行，我們不尊重傳統，我們只尊重創新。(Our industry does not respect tradition — it only respects innovation) 點出創新兩個字，就是微軟現在轉型的關鍵。

以下是公開信的片段，我節錄了幾段翻譯成中文，很適合開工的第一天閱讀。現實生活裡，不管是學校或是職場，我們總是能輕易找到抱怨的理由，但卻常常忘記當初懷抱的夢想、初衷。我們也常常忘記，保持求知若渴，因為學如逆水行舟，不進則退。納達拉給員工的一封信，希望也能給大家滿滿的元氣!!!! ┴內容如下:


我是誰?
Who am I?
我今年四十六歲，結婚22年，有三個孩子。就像其他人一樣，我今天的所作所為，都深受我的家庭以及人生經驗所影響。很多人也定義我是一個非常有好奇心、渴望學習的人。我總是買多過我能讀完的書，加入多過我能完成的線上學習課程。我非常相信，如果你不學習新知，就等於停止進行偉大而且有益的事物。所以我的家庭、好奇心、以及求知若渴的精神，造就了今天的我。

I am 46. I’ve been married for 22 years and we have 3 kids. And like anyone else, a lot of what I do and how I think has been shaped by my family and my overall life experiences. Many who know me say I am also defined by my curiosity and thirst for learning. I buy more books than I can finish. I sign up for more online courses than I can complete. I fundamentally believe that if you are not learning new things, you stop doing great and useful things. So family, curiosity and hunger for knowledge all define me.

Why am I here?
我為什麼在這裡呢?

我加入微軟，與其他員工的理由是一樣的: 用科技改變世界，讓人類得以利用科技從事更驚奇美好的事情。I am here for the same reason I think most people join Microsoft — to change the world through technology that empowers people to do amazing things.

最後，我真心相信，我們每一個人都要為自己的工作找到意義。甚麼是最棒的工作呢? 就是當你在做這份工作時，你知道你不只在做工作，而是在改變別人的生活.....

Finally, I truly believe that each of us must find meaning in our work. The best work happens when you know that it’s not just work, but something that will improve other people’s lives....
http://unwire.hk/…/02/04/satya-nadella-microsoft-…/top-news/

JR又來了！這次是當面試官！
老實說，我第一次面試時（非老師工作）就是帶著「零經驗」的履歷去的，
那時真的就是憑著我的「一片真心」打動面試官！（哈哈！😜）
我記得我大致上就是如影片中這樣說的！

稍微解釋一下這堂課你需要做到的步驟：
Step 1: 這一步中沒有給中文字幕，希望藉此能打開耳朵仔細聽，試著理解內容。
Step 2: 第二步的repetition（反覆練習）和imitation（模仿）非常重要，每個人花的時間都會不同，不要覺得花上好多天練習就表示練習沒效率，反而，這會是你發覺自己進步很多、單字記的很熟、句型馬上蹦出來的關鍵！
Step 3: 在這一步驟中，我把我的部分換成靜音，讓你好好展現練習的成果，和JR模擬一場真實的面試喔！

對話全文：
JR: How are you doing this morning?
Cat: I’m doing great. Thank you.
JR: So, tell me something about yourself
Cat: Sure. I started off my career as an English teacher five years ago. I mainly taught Elementary school kids. One of my major duties was to communicate with anxious parents, and to talk to them about their kid’s behavior at school. I believe it took a lot of patience and communication skills to be able to pull it off.
JR: Catherine, you do know this is a marketing company right? Marketing and education are totally different fields. Why do you think you’re qualified to fit in this position as a marcom specialist?
Cat: Well, I’m the person who welcomes challenges. I understand I’m trying to get into a totally different field, however, I’ve always had a passion for digital marketing. In my spare time, I would read books or study articles about content marketing, influencer marketing, SEO and all that. I even worked part time to manage C’s English Corner’s fan page.
JR: Oh, C’s English Corner, that’s very very famous in Taiwan. So, why should we hire you again?
Cat: I don’t have much hands-on experience. But working as an English teacher in the past five years, I’m pretty confident to say that I’m an observant person with flexibility and good communication skills.
I know I am new to this field, but I am willing to take on an entry-level position and work my way up.

--------------------------------------------------------
☛ Facebook: C's English Corner https://www.facebook.com/csenglishcorner/
☛ Instagram: csenglishcorner
☛ 每週四晚上9:00準時發影片喔！

--------------------------------------------------------

其他超實用教學影片：

 【生活休閒英文】#5 六個直白的中翻英錯誤 // 如何選擇練口說管道?
https://goo.gl/PCCMRx

 如何用英文在國外點餐 https://goo.gl/v4pLGm

 如何順利過海關？ https://goo.gl/S1ppYZ

 聽懂機場廣播 https://goo.gl/DJZ8Kw

 我在台灣的自學方法 https://goo.gl/wyUjVc

 旅行英文#9 【住飯店】各種需求英文//如何無形中增加單字量？
https://goo.gl/nQnAuF
----------------------------------------------------------------------
每週四晚上9:00準時發影片喔！
----------------------------------------------------------------------
合作邀約：csenglishcorner@gmail.com