Chen Lianqiao X Wei Rujun

Lianqiao: After getting up, I tidy up the house, then make a cup of coffee to wake myself up and check that all the materials I need to prepare for the day’s lessons or program are complete.

Ru-Jun: I usually get up around 5 or 6 a.m. and start preparing green smoothies for the whole family. Three years ago, I began experiencing some health issues, so I made a few changes to my diet and try to keep breakfast simple and healthy. Green smoothies are convenient: they let me quickly get plenty of fruits and vegetables without much effort, giving me the energy I need for the day.

Lianqiao: The places I go to most often are Ningxia Night Market and Dadaocheng, since they’re nearby and close to home. Sometimes I’m too lazy to cook dinner, so I’ll go eat there. It’s convenient, with plenty of choices. Anyway, I’m wearing a mask these days, so nobody can recognize me, right? (laughs)

Ru-Jun: Because of my work, I’m often traveling all over Taiwan. On holidays, I’m also out and about in different parts of Taipei for the sign language association’s classes. I think the place I visit most often is probably the MRT station.

Lianqiao: My hometown is Zhongli. I lived in a military dependents’ village when I was little. It was later torn down, and we moved nearby. When I go back to my hometown, I still make a point of taking the bus to Zhongzhen New Village to eat rice noodles at Guoqi Wu and reminisce about life in the village. The assorted rice noodles at Guoqi Wu are incredible value for money—the whole bowl is packed with ingredients.

Ru-Jun: Northern-style noodles and red bean desserts are my weaknesses. I love things like red bean cakes and red bean paste pancakes.

1. The red bean pancake at Wan Zhen Lou in Beiping is highly recommended. The chewy pancake skin is filled with plenty of red beans—you can easily eat several slices!https://www.facebook.com/%E8%90%AC%E7%8F%8D%E6%A8%93-938035889609430

2. At Wangnian Dumplings at the entrance to the alley, near Zhongshan Junior High School MRT Station, they serve rice, noodles, and dumplings. My usual order is the tomato soup dumplings.https://www.facebook.com/handmadedumplingfun/posts/3068516803228741

Lianqiao: I like taking walks around Dadaocheng or exercising by the riverside. Sometimes I go to the library to read the newspaper (laughs).

Ru-Jun: “For me, brisk walking is a great way to relieve stress. I set a goal of 10,000 steps a day, and almost every night I go brisk walking in a park or on a school track.”

Ru-Jun: There’s a sense of fulfillment in being a sign language interpreter. Through us, our Deaf friends can connect with the world. That sense of fulfillment and mission keeps us immersed in this role.

The thing that left the deepest impression on me was when a Deaf friend told me how grateful she was to sign language interpreters. Thirty years ago, a family member of hers who was also hard of hearing was involved in an accident. Without a sign language interpreter, the whole family was left facing a tragic outcome. She told me that if there had been an interpreter at the time, things would certainly have turned out differently. It made me deeply appreciate the importance of our profession.

Usually, interpreters only find out who they’ll be serving once they arrive on site. Sometimes you show up to interpret and realize the person is a friend you know well—that can be really shocking! I feel that sign language interpreters are often involved in Deaf people’s lives, but at the same time, we must maintain a strong sense of professional ethics and not make Deaf people feel that their privacy is being violated.

Ru-jun: I love this language. I think sign language looks so beautiful in the air!

I remember being fascinated by sign-language songs on TV when I was in middle school. When I saw a sign language club at university, I signed up. I’ve always had a natural affection for sign language. Sign language is a visual language, and I’m better at learning visual languages than auditory ones. Especially as I gradually became more familiar with sign language, the joy and sense of accomplishment I felt from being able to help Deaf friends made me realize the value of my own existence.

Ru-jun: There is indeed less job security in Taiwan. Sign language interpretation fees in Taiwan are funded by government subsidies, and everyone is competing for a share of that limited funding. As a result, few people work as full-time sign language interpreters; most do it part-time because they still need to rely on income from a regular full-time job. My interest in sign language is what drew me to it. This is work I truly love, so I will never give it up.

Lianqiao: When I was studying at the school for the deaf, I saw a dance performance. The dancers’ expressions were so vivid that I could feel their joy, and I was deeply moved! Later, I saw the National Theater of the Deaf (NTD) perform “Human Camera,” using their bodies to portray different scenes, playing several people one moment and becoming the narrator the next. This form of performance is well suited to deaf people. So I began practicing acting and physical performance…

Lianqiao: I hope people can learn about and value deaf people through my performances. We’re no different from hearing people; we can do anything.

Lianqiao: I’ve been quite optimistic ever since I was little. Happiness is contagious—as long as I keep a happy mindset, the atmosphere around me will change too. Sometimes I have negative feelings, but when I think about how I can bring joy to everyone, that makes me happy!

Lianqiao: Ba Nai Shun-zi’s doodle diary, “The Worry-Busting Laugh Shop,” is illustrated and funny. After work, I like to read something light, and the jokes in it can also become material for performances. There’s a passage I think is wonderful: “Don’t take life too seriously, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Let’s laugh together, let’s laugh out loud together~ The days, with all their sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy moments, turn out to be a free dose of tonic!”

Ru-Jun: Nearly all the books I read are related to sign language and hearing impairment. Because of my work, sign language has become inseparable from my everyday life. Inspired by the American sign-language communication picture book “MY FIRST BABY SIGNS,” our association recently also created a movable 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 created by deaf friends, bringing together everyone’s strengths. I really enjoy the process of asking questions and listening; without realizing it, I grow along the way!

Lianqiao: The Taiwanese scenery that appeals to me most is Zengwen Reservoir. The mountains and forests surrounding the reservoir are very peaceful and serene. It’s a bit of a journey to get there, but when the weather is good, you can take a boat ride on the lake and admire the reservoir’s beautiful scenery from another angle.

Zengwenshui Reservoir Recreation Co., Ltd.http://www.godapu.com/

Ru-Jun: I really love Taiwan’s mountain scenery and rice paddies. Every year, I plan a family cycling trip through Hualien and Taitung, riding from Hualien to Taitung. Along the way, you can take in the vast magnificence of nature, with rice paddies stretching out beside the road and mountain peaks overlapping in the distance. The ups and downs of the route are like life’s twists and turns—sometimes you face adversity, and sometimes things go your way. I highly recommend two routes: one is the Yufu Bikeway from Yuli to Fuli, the only cycling route that crosses two tectonic plates; the other is Hualien County Road 193. Both are distinctive local cycling routes!

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

Lianqiao: When it comes to the room I stay in, having a window that faces outdoors is a big plus. It should also be clean, with a simple, uncluttered style.

Ru-Jun: Having a quiet place to stay is very important to me! The thing that bothers me most when staying away from home is noise, especially since you can’t tell from the photos on a website how good the soundproofing is.

Lianqiao: I once passed by Tianjin Street and was drawn to the artwork painted on the windows. Only later did I learn that it was your guesthouse! The all-white exterior and animal decals on the windows look especially fresh against the streets of old Taipei.

Ru-jun: I live quite close to your Fuxing North Road branch. I remember being impressed by the lobby when I passed by before—it has a grand, minimalist design that still feels welcoming.