Ep. 4: Net Zero by 2050 Hot topic alert! Join our hosts Tim and Paz and their guest, James Wang（王漢英）, Vice President and General Director of Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories at ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute). Learn what Net Zero means, what Taiwan’s strategies and efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2050 are, and how you – yes, you! – can contribute. Then find out whether greenwash and *carbon footprint *are this episode’s cat’s meows or pet peeves!* * —Vocabulary renewable（能源）可再生的 (adj) Taiwan is moving away from fossil fuels, but it faces constraints such as limited land or offshore areas when seeking potential sites for renewable energy projects. emit排出 (v.) The infrastructure that supports a growing array of digital services emits 1% of energy-related greenhouse gases; this must be halved by 2030 to achieve Net Zero by 2050. transition過渡；轉變 (n.) A just transition to Net-Zero emissions by 2050 is an integral part of Taiwan’s Climate Change Response Act; based on respect for human rights, it leaves no one behind. resolve解決 (v.) An important social issue that must be resolved well before a renewable energy project breaks ground is the project’s impact on the lives and livelihoods of nearby inhabitants. carbon footprint碳足跡（個人活動所產生的二氧化碳的份量） (n.) To reduce our carbon footprints, we need to assess the amount of greenhouse gases we produce by the activities we do, the products we have, and the services we use. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Ep. 3: 2024 Bamboo Expo and World Bamboo Congress Bamboo… so old-school, isn’t it? Well, no! Join Tim, Paz, and Dr. Ying-pin Huang, a Manager at the Industrial Technology Research Institute's Central Region Campus who works on bamboo technologies. Bamboo… technologies? Yes! There’s no bamboozling going on here! Find out about some bamboo applications that can help us achieve a sustainable world. Hear about the 2024 Bamboo Expo and the World Bamboo Congress. Then discover what Tim, Paz, and Dr. Huang think of to miss the forest for the trees, mycelium,* *and *infinity.* —Vocabulary resilient 有彈性的，有適應性的 (adj.) Bamboo, which is resilient against storms and droughts, has extensive root systems that can control soil erosion and stabilize slopes in landslide-prone areas. primitive 原始的 (adj.) A seemingly primitive, no-tech bamboo product, biochar, a type of charcoal, contains carbon captured from the atmosphere; when added to soil, biochar enriches it and creates a carbon sink. multiple 由許多部份組成的，多樣的 (adj.) The 2024 Bamboo Expo and the World Bamboo Congress, with the theme of “Next-Generation Bamboo,” is being held at multiple venues to showcase Taiwan’s bamboo culture and industries. limitation 限制，侷限 (n.) Although bamboo has been used in many ways for thousands of years, there seems to be no limitation except for imagination on the applications researchers are discovering for it. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Ep. 2: Lantern Festival Baiming Carnival Get a glimpse into the fascinating Matsu Islands’ Lantern Festival with Tim, Paz, and their guest, Matsu YouTuber Chami. Chami champions Matsu’s culture and dialect on her show, 掐米亜店, and you’ll learn some words that describe features of the festival procession perfectly: 擺暝 (pē màng / pě màng), 碗燕 (uāng iěng / uang ngiěng), 拍鼓板 (phák kū pēing / phǎh kú bēing), 迎神 (ngiàng sìng / ngiǎng nìng). You’ll want to see it for yourself! Finally, find out what Tim, Paz, and Chami think about the terms have receipts, dialect, and beat! —Vocabulary dedication致力，奉獻 (n.)；subtitle 字幕 (n.) Chami’s dedication to using the Matsu dialect in her videos is great, but since not many people know it, she adds Mandarin subtitles to make her content more accessible. procession 行列，隊伍 (n.) People following the festival procession know what section of the route it’s on since each features different musical instruments; a change means a different god is visiting. interaction 互動 (n.) In one captivating part of the Baiming procession, the deity palanquins weave and spin together as if in greeting; we can only imagine what the gods say in these interactions. nap 午睡，小睡 (n.)；insight 見解 (n.) On the 29th day of the first lunar month, you can take a nap at a temple; if you dream, dream interpreters can help you see if your dreams provide insights into your problems. embody 體現，使具體化 (v.) Chami’s favorite term in the Matsu dialect is "拍鼓板" (phák kū pēing / phǎh kú bēing) because the traditional drumbeat embodies the spirit of Matsu’s celebrations for her. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Do you ever wonder what’s behind the delicious parade of fruit and vegetables you eat throughout the year? Join BreakDown hosts Tim and Paz and their guest Leo, host of the podcast “農遊超市Farmtour Market,” to find out. Discover how this rice farmer is showing people aspects of agriculture in interesting, creative ways. Then hear if reap what you sow, hydroponics, aquaculture, aquaponics, and duck are pet peeves or cat’s meows to them! Vocabulary fundamental 基礎的，基本的 （adj.） Agriculture, fundamental to most economies and societies, faces huge increases in demand, space and water scarcity, climate change, and other critical challenges. sustainable （對環境沒有損害或損害很小因而）可持續的，能長期維持的 （adj.） A bird-loving rice farmer in Yilan convinced other local farmers to join him in growing organic rice, started an organic rice brand, and organized recreational tours on his farm, creating a sustainable business for the birds’ sake. prosperous 繁榮的;富裕的 (adj.) People gift tiny sweet and sour kumquats to wish the recipient a prosperous new year; the fruit is such a symbol of wealth that there’s a kumquat museum in Yilan County! sow 播種，種 (v.) The Lunar New Year is an important time of the year for rice farmers, whose paddies collectively cover just over seven percent of Taiwan; it’s when they sow their crops. fulfilling 令人愉快滿足的 (adj.) Connecting with agriculture in some way, such as going on a farm tour and meeting local farmers and eating the food they produce, can be a fulfilling experience. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Have a seat with BreakDown hosts Tim and Paz and their guest Peggy, Deputy Director of the Curatorial and Planning Center at Skills for U. Discover what Skills for U does, what the Taiwan Technical and Vocational Education and Training Conference features, why technical and vocational training and jobs are important, and what role English plays. Then learn about these terms: a jack of all trades and a master of none, MOOCs, and empower. —Vocabulary bilingual 雙語的 (adj.) A highly skilled workforce with many bilingual vocational and technical workers will contribute to raising Taiwan’s international competitiveness. corporate 公司的；團體的 (adj.) One challenge in vocational education that corporate ESG and CSR initiatives could address is providing resources for programs that lack up-to-date knowledge and equipment. Note: ESG - environmental, social, and corporate governance; CSR - corporate social responsibility sector 部門 (n.) The conference aims to break down silos in Taiwan’s vocational and technical education ecosystem by encouraging communication between the government, nonprofit, industry, and education sectors within it. incorporate包含；加上 (v.) Vocational and technical schools are incorporating English into their programs, helping to make the language alive and relevant for students, teachers, and Taiwan’s society. vocational 職業的 (adj.) In a society that values education and professional careers, many parents discourage their children from pursuing a vocational job, not realizing that these jobs can be highly satisfying and that they also contribute to a healthy economy. https://bit.ly/3GtvKZ4 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Are you a fan of Chinese-language movies? Join the crowd! Get comfortable with hosts Tim and Paz and their guest, XXY, host of XXY梗你看電影, which covers everything related to movies. Learn what differences are disguised by the common comparison of the Golden Horse Awards to the Academy Awards. Find out what the range of nominated films and people reflects, and more. Then discover some interesting cat’s meows, pet peeves, and borrowed terms: popcorn, blockbuster, MacGuffin, schadenfreude, and deus ex machina! —Vocabulary nickname綽號 (n.) XXY’s nickname is not related to the movie of the same name or to a chromosomal anomaly; it’s an abbreviation created by the initials of the pinyin reading of his Chinese name. dialect方言 (n.) The Golden Horse Awards used to be exclusively for movies only in Mandarin, but in recent years, the Awards has become more inclusive and now considers Mandarin-based movies that include regional and indigenous dialects. essence本質；實質 (n.) The current crop of films with numerous nominations epitomizes the evolution of the narrative essence of Taiwanese cinema towards more serious themes. nominate 提名 (v.) “Snow in Midsummer”, the film nominated in nine categories at this year’s Golden Horse Awards, is a collaborative effort between Malaysia, Taiwan, and Singapore. marching orders逐客令 (n.) After an actor slapped a presenter at last year’s Academy Awards, the Academy gave him his marching orders, banning him from attending its events for ten years. MacGuffin麥高芬（指推動電影情節發展，但本身並不重要的細節）(n.) MacGuffin and deus ex machina are both names of plot devices that serve to move a story along, hopefully without confusing or alienating the audience. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Taiwan stands with diversity! Join BreakDown co-hosts Tim and Paz as they talk with Amy, Mooni and 咆哮蒂, co-hosts of the podcast “女同志週記lez.weekly”. Learn about Taiwan’s Pride event and its importance to the local and international LGBTQ+ communities and to Taiwan itself. Then hear about these pet peeves and cat’s meows: true colors, heteronormativity, pansexual, think without branding, and true self. —Vocabulary evolve逐步發展 (v.) Taiwan’s Pride event continues to evolve and now includes a sightseeing bus and short tours to introduce domestic and international visitors to Taiwan’s LGBTQ+ culture. inclusive（團體或組織）可以包容各種人的 (adj.) Beyond LGBTQ+ Pride events, the legalization of same-sex marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples show how Taiwan is working to make its society inclusive. representation代表 (n.) Seeing representation of the LGBTQ+ community gives people who feel unseen or unsure about their place in society the encouragement to be themselves. advocate支持;提倡 (v.) International participation in Taiwan’s highly visible Pride Parade is a powerful way to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights everywhere. orientation（某人的）特別喜好，價值取向 (n.) Some people know what their sexual orientation is from a young age; others may need time to explore who they are and whom they are sexually or romantically attracted to. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

A fitness trainer and a history buff? Wow! What an interesting combo! Join BreakDown hosts Tim and Paz as they chat with Light and Dan, co-hosts of the podcast 走鐘運動日記. Learn fascinating details about the Asian Games happening later this month. Then find out what the following mean and if they’re cat’s meows or pet peeves: jump the gun, ever onward, DNF, PB, and PR. —Vocabulary Predecessor 前任；前身；前輩(n.) The Far Eastern Championship Games, held from 1913 to 1934, and the West Asia Games, held in 1934, are considered the predecessors of today’s Asian Games, which held its first edition in 1951. Upcoming 即將發生的(adj.) The upcoming 19th Asian Games are eagerly anticipated in Asia and beyond; originally scheduled for 2022 and cancelled because of the pandemic, the Games open later this month. Kabaddi 卡巴迪(n.) In the 2018 Asian Games, Taiwan’s women’s team won the bronze medal in Kabaddi, a 4,000-year-old sport described as a combination of wrestling and tag. Glue 膠水；黏著劑(n.) 黏合；緊附(vt.) For 15 days from September 23rd to October 8th, sports fans everywhere will be glued to screens of all sizes, cheering for and occasionally screaming at their favorite teams and athletes competing at the multi-sport Asian Games. Jade 玉；翡翠(n.), lotus 蓮花(n.) Hangzhou, China, the host of the 19th Asian Games, displays its close relationship with its culture by including cultural and historical symbols, such as the lotus in both the stadium and tennis center and local geographical features and jade in the medals. 搭乘英語特快車，一起學英文👉English Express ▌English Exress>>https://www.icrt.com.tw/app/english-express/ ▌免費測試英文實力 >> https://www.icrt.com.tw/app/english-express/ ▌2分鐘填問卷，幫助我們創作出更好的內容 >> ​https://reurl.cc/lvEaLj -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

*配合8月航班，煙火施放時間調整至20:35* *To align with the August flight schedule, the fireworks display time has been adjusted to 8:35 PM.* Join Tim, Paz, and BreakDown guest Jerome, host of the travel podcast “旅行熱炒店”, as they discuss the fascinating history of Taipei’s Dadaocheng district, the exciting 51-day summer festival there, and some great photo tips for the festival fireworks! Then discover what they think of off the beaten path, no-brainer, and wanderlust. —Vocabulary Back alley陋巷；後巷(n.), eatery 餐館(n.), refined 精緻的(adj.), storefront 店面(n.) Exploring the back alleys of your city might yield unexpected finds hiding behind quiet storefronts, such as a lively neighborhood eatery offering a refined menu of exquisite dishes based on local ingredients. Compiled 編譯(v.) Unable to travel outside of the U.S. during the pandemic, Jerome instead traveled to the far reaches of the country – Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Hawaiian island of Moloka‘i, and Utqiagvik, the northernmost American city – and then he compiled stories of his explorations into a book titled 美國後巷 (American Back Alleys). Navigate 導航(v.) **Dadaocheng became a major international trading port in the late 19th century as ships found it increasingly difficult to navigate further up the Tamsui River. ** Fusion 融合(n.) **The many shops on Dihua Street reflect Dadaocheng’s past and present, with offerings ranging from the traditional to the trendy, along with innovative fusions of old and new. ** Matchmaker 月老、媒婆(n.) Dadaocheng’s Xia Hai City God Temple is famous for being a matchmaker temple in Taiwan and beyond; Taiwanese people and tourists from Japan and South Korea go there in hopes of being granted a romantic partner or a good marriage.  Vibe 氣氛(n.) A local team created light installations to complement the Dadaocheng Wharf area, giving it a romantic vibe at night.  搭乘英語特快車，一起學英文👉English Express ▌English Exress>>https://www.icrt.com.tw/app/english-express/ ▌免費測試英文實力 >> **https://www.icrt.com.tw/app/english-express/ ▌2分鐘填問卷，幫助我們創作出更好的內容 >> ​https://reurl.cc/lvEaLj -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Who’s wearing the yellow jersey? Join BreakDown hosts Tim and Paz and their guests Alan and Greg, a.k.a. Uncle, hosts of the Bike Talk大叔愛輪事podcast, as they discuss the Tour de France, the legendary 23-day men’s bicycle race. Then learn about their cat’s meows: hitch a ride, peloton, cycling, and the Grand Tour! —Vocabulary Conquer, courageous 攻取；征服(v.) , 勇敢的(adj.) The courageous riders have to conquer a punishing 3405.6 kilometers route that takes them through all five of France’s mountain ranges. Prestigious 有聲望的(adj.) There are many important men’s bicycle races all over the world, but the Tour de France is regarded as the most prestigious. Classification , jersey 分類(n.) , 運動衫(n.) In the Tour de France’s main competitions, the winners of the general, mountains, points, and young rider classifications are awarded yellow, polka dot, green, and white jerseys respectively. Prowess 高超的技能(n.) The grueling Tour de France showcases the endurance and athletic prowess of its elite professional competitors. Gimmick 花招；把戲(n.) Who could have guessed 120 years ago that a gimmick by a newspaper, meant to get more readers by creating something exciting to report on, would endure and evolve into the grand spectacle called the Tour de France? 搭乘英語特快車，一起學英文👉English Express ▌English Exress>>https://www.icrt.com.tw/app/english-express/ ▌免費測試英文實力 >> **https://www.icrt.com.tw/app/english-express/ ▌2分鐘填問卷，幫助我們創作出更好的內容 >> ​https://reurl.cc/lvEaLj -- Hosting provided by SoundOn