Page 58 - 菲律賓版新編華語課本12

第十二冊 課文英譯

the martial arts for health maintenance. You must not home today. He pointed at the words written on the
Lesson 1 : Learning Chinese Calligraphy be restless and to be calm when practicing Tai chi paper and asked if I could read them. Here’s what Lesson 6 : Different Christmas

chuan. Be soft and gentle when making motions and were written on the paper: Christmas is approaching. My younger brother
Teacher taught us to write calligraphy today. We breathe in a natural way. If you have done it right, 四十四隻石獅子 (Forty-four stone lions ) and I were busy decorating the Christmas tree. We
were happy and we took out “Four Treasures of the you could have been drenched in sweat despite its 吃了四十四顆澀柿子 (Ate forty-four astrin- hung little light bulbs and toys with colorful ribbons
Study” as soon as the class began. slow movement. gent persimmon fruits) to match our Christmas tree and make it bright and
Firstly I ground ink, and then I had my ink Doctors believed that practicing Tai chi chuan I thought I understood those words and so I be- twinkling.
brush dipped with ink to write. The tip of the ink could prevent chronic diseases, such as high blood lieved I could read them. When I spoke, I had trou- On past Christmas days, I remembered we
brush was soft, so my writing ended up being messy pressure and heart attacks. bles reading well. I then realized that it was a piece would visit our godfather and godmother and kiss
In Taiwan on every sunny day, as long as you
the moment I started to write. wake up early and walk in the park, you can see of tongue twister. their hands to wish them a merry Christmas. We also
Do you know what is tongue twister? Tongue
Teacher was not happy with my writing, so he had Christmas feast and we were given a lot of gifts.
came and helped out. groups of elders, wearing light shoes, slowly prac- twister is a phrase with similar pronunciations de- While decorating the tree, my younger brother and I
Teacher said, “The essence of calligraphy lies ticing Tai chi chuan. If you would also like to learn signed to get your tongue ‘twisted’ if you fail to ar- wondered what gifts we would get this Christmas.
in the wielding of an ink brush. There used to be some Tai chi chuan, why not go home and ask your ticulate fluently. In case you had difficulty pronounc- When dad heard it, he said, “Christmas marks
grandfather, for he might have some ideas of it, too.
ing some particular sounds, you certainly could not
a calligraphist named Wang Xi-zhi; he learned the the birthday of Jesus Christ. We cannot just enjoy
best way of wielding an ink brush from how geese Invincible Shirt or Iron Shirt, a kind of martial art. deal with some tongue twisters. My brother knew and have fun. Instead, we are supposed to reflect on
swam.” Iron Palm, a kind of martial art. that I could not read “ㄓㄔㄕ” and “ㄗㄘㄙ”clearly, the true meanings of the sufferings Jesus had suf-
and so he gave me such a test.
Light body skill, a kind of martial art.
Teacher explained as he held up an ink brush fered.”
and taught. Teacher said, “The index finger is like the I thought for a while and gave him a tongue- I agreed, so I decided to help others to remem-
head of a goose rising up high. Use the middle fin- Lesson 3 : Taiwan Folk Games twister test, too, because he could not read “ㄢ” and ber Jesus Christ this year.
“ㄤ” properly, either. Here’s the test I gave to him:
ger and the thumb to hold the stalk of an ink brush, I had a Zhu Qing Ting made of a bamboo But what can I do?
bringing an image of goose wings. Ring finger and sheet and a chopstick from my grandfather. I held it 和尚端湯上塔 (The monk climbed up a pagoda After a long while, I thought of a family living
little finger are used as the function of a goose feet, in my palms and rolled and spun it hard and let it go; with the soup ) in a small house nearby school. Since I had a lot of
塔滑湯灑湯燙塔 (The slippery steps caused the
hiding below water surface to control directions. it then “took off” and turned about. soup to spill and burned the pagoda) toys and their kids didn’t, they would be happy if I
Because when a goose swims, it presents perfect co- I also had a Jianzi with feathers fixed into could give them some.
ordination, bringing beautiful posture; as the same a rubber sole. I always played it with my younger As expected, he could not read well, either. I told Dad about my plan. Dad said, “You think
Tongue twisters are so interesting. I will always
method applied to calligraphy, we have to have our brother in the yard. I was a good player because I practice different tongue twisters to enhance tongue of those in need and are willing to share toys with
fingers well coordinated. could balance it in the air for up to about ten kicks. them, that means you have learned the spirit of love
We followed teacher’s instructions and imag- When I was playing, my younger brother would flexibility. I am sure I will pronounce words more ac- from Jesus. I feel proud of you.”
ined my hand as a goose, and so my hand was ‘obe- squat and watch beside; as he counted, his eyeballs curately. Upon hearing it, my younger brother also would
dient’ and I wrote smoothly. rolled up and down with the shuttlecock, as if he was Lesson 5 : My Taiwanese Friends like to give out his toys.
Teacher also taught us to write “永” because praying for balance loss so that he could be in his Dad was happy, and immediately agreed to take
the character was composed of eight strokes, which turn playing. I love Taiwan because I have many good friends us to do such things in the Christmas Eve.
contained all strokes in Chinese. As long as we could When we took turn playing Jianzi, my older sis- there. I could not wait for the Christmas to come be-
write “永” well, we were able to learn all the strokes ter would play diabolo beside. She kept a big diabolo Although they are all in different sizes－ tall, cause it is going to be a very different Christmas.
in Chinese. suspended on the string, which is fixed to two hand- short, stout or slim－ they are all energetic and pas-
After the instructions, I found writing calli- sticks on both ends, and then pulled the string up and sionate. Lesson 7 : Bamboo
graphy easy. As long as I practiced more often, I be- down that the friction caused it to roll and buzz. As Taiwanese are polite. When meeting friends, We had a piece of ink and wash painting on
lieved that I could write beautiful calligraphy. she repeatedly lifted one of the handsticks, the speed they warmly greet them to show friendliness and
increased, so did the buzzing sound. care. They sincerely bow and greet to extend con- our living room wall. My grandfather always sat on
Lesson 2 : Tai Chi Chuan She can also spin a top. She tangled a top with cerns when they meet senior citizens. sofa and admired it.
One time as my younger brother and I sat beside
a string and pulled the string hard to spin the top. It Taiwanese are also very hospitable. They warm-
Chinese kung fu has been well known through- my grandfather, my grandfather pointed at the paint-
out the world. There are types of legendary Chinese turned so fast and stable that it did not even topple ly welcome and attend houseguests with open arms, ing and asked, “Is it beautiful?”
after I had some water back from the house.
and treat them with the best dish in the house.
kung fu, such as the Tie Bu Shan that can defend I said, “It is just a painted bamboo. Nothing spe-
against anything, the Tie Sha Zhang that allows The Zhu Qing Ting, Jianzi, diabolo, as well as Taiwanese are willing to help, too. They give cial.” My younger brother nodded and agreed.
you to cut log and stone with bare hands, as well as the top all belonged to old folk games. My family out their best to help their friends when they have My grandfather said, “Do not underestimate it.
difficulties. In busy seasons, people work together;
and I all like them.
Qing Gong that allows you to jump over the roof An ordinary thing has an extraordinary side.”
without much efforts, etc. The above-mentioned mar- Note: during harvest hours, everyone celebrates and enjoys I then again carefully observed the bamboo on
tial arts were best known; unfortunately, those skills Bamboo-copter, a traditional toy consists of a pro- the pleasure together. the painting and still could not find anything special.
Taiwanese are very lucky that they are blessed
failed to be passed on. peller on a stick. However, my younger brother said, “I got it.
However, one kung fu named Tai chi chuan, A traditional Asian game in which players aim to with water, fish, paddy fields and crops, so it is in- Bamboo is not ordinary because it can be of great
which aims to overcome the hardness (yang) by the keep a shuttlecock in the air using feet. deed a good place to live in. Just like the Philippines, use. Its stalk can be made into furniture, straw mats
although typhoons and earthquakes sometimes strike,
softness (yin), is still popular around the world. Its Lesson 4 : Tongue Twisted Taiwanese are always able to bravely stand up soon. and its leaves can be served as rice dumpling wrap-
feature is to exert a force through a borrowed force pings, as well. Also, bamboo sprouts are edible.”
so as to parry. It now also gradually becomes one of My younger brother took a slip of paper back I am willing to keep an everlasting friendship Grandfather smiled and said, “That makes
with my Taiwanese friends.

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