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Dual-Language Tale: Story Written in Two Languages

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Introducing Taiwan to Global Audiences and Attracting Worldwide Presence to Taiwan
Introducing Taiwan to Global Audiences and Attracting Worldwide Presence to Taiwan

Dual-Language Tale: Story Written in Two Languages

Under the setting sun, I find myself on the Miluo River's edge, my heart heavy with betrayal. I served Chu with loyalty, but whispers of treason, jealous courtiers, and corruption drove me out.

The river promises stillness, a moment of peace in the chaos. I step in, feeling the cold water swirl around my legs. Fishermen call out my name, but I press on, sinking deeper until I'm fully submerged.

In the water's depths, I see boats racing, oars slicing through the surface. Rice dumplings bob up, like little white boats among curious fish. I close my eyes and embrace the river's comforting embrace, letting go of my sorrows and Chu's troubles.

This tale is that of Qu Yuan, a poet and minister from the Chu State over 2,000 years ago. His act of patriotic defiance and loyalty went down in history as a symbol of courage and moral fortitude.

Today, we commemorate him during the Dragon Boat Festival. In Taiwan, it's more than just a day off – it's a time to celebrate unity, family, and cultural pride. People gather for dragon boat races, beating drums, and eating zongzi – sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. These traditions remind us of Qu Yuan's legacy and connect us to our past.

Though customs may change, the spirit remains. The Dragon Boat Festival links the past with the present, reminding us that even in hard times, acts of love and courage are never forgotten.

For those in need, seek help: National Suicide Prevention Center (1925), Taiwan Lifeline International (1995), Teacher Chang Foundation (1980). All lines are 24-hour and toll-free.

Vocabulary:

  1. Qu Yuan – Patriotic poet and minister from the Chu State
  2. Miluo River – The river where Qu Yuan drowned
  3. Betrayal – The act of deceiving or dishonoring someone
  4. Corruption – Moral decay, dishonesty
  5. Despair – Deep sadness, hopelessness
  6. Zongzi – Sticky rice dumplings
  7. Dragon Boat Festival – Known in Chinese as Duanwu Jie, a traditional Chinese festival
  8. Loyalty – Strong devotion and faithfulness
  9. Teamwork – Cooperation amongst team members
  10. Celebration – A time of joy and festivity

Idioms:

  1. With a heavy heart – Feeling sad or distressed
  2. Go down in history – To become recorded and remembered in history
  3. Pay tribute – To show respect or honor
  4. Cast out – To drive away, exclude

Nigel P. Daly is a writer focusing on language learning, whose work can be found in his newsletter, Chin-glish bilingual lab (https://ndaly.substack.com).

Cynthia Chen is a translator and writer specializing in blogs, scripts, and articles.

  1. Amid the serenity of the Miluo River, one can reflect on the lifestyle and cultural travel of Qu Yuan, a poet and minister who, with a heavy heart, drowned himself in the river as an act of defiance towards betrayal and corruption.
  2. Today, during the Dragon Boat Festival, people celebrate Qu Yuan's legacy by engaging in fashion-and-beauty traditions such as race events and eating zongzi, a symbol of teamwork and unity, while also reminiscing about his loyalty and paying tribute to the historical celebrations.
  3. Just as Qu Yuan's tale is still remembered and passed down through generations, the Dragon Boat Festival serves as a testament to the resilience of food-and-drink customs like zongzi, providing a link between the past and the present, reinforcing that acts of love and courage will never be forgotten.

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