細心一點的聽眾朋友可能會在日常當中發現，「4」這個數字在生活中很容易被「消失」，尤其在樓層數和車牌號碼裡，很多時候都看不見「4」；但在國外，不見的卻常常是「13」這個數字。除此之外，在我們的生活裡還有許多數字，當然就又有許許多多的疑問。例如說，大家有沒有想過，為什麼臺灣電話的區碼是從臺北的「02」開始，沒有「01」？在這集裡，就讓Formosa Files中文版的兩位主持人來跟大家簡單聊聊一些數字的小故事。

ps. 因為天氣太熱，請原諒兩位主持人被曬昏的瘋言瘋語；若有得罪，敬請見諒！

主持人簡介：

Eryk Michael Smith－ICRT南臺灣特派員，長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯，也會客串DJ。現居高雄，在臺灣已經居住了接近30年，認為臺灣是自己的家。

Eric Hsu（徐葆權）－彰化北斗人，從大學南漂高雄以來，人生的大部分時間都在高雄渡過。關心臺灣文史與地方文化發展，尤其是自己的兩個家鄉：北斗與高雄。

In this short segment, John and Eryk first make the stunning observation that summer in subtropical Taiwan is hot. They then reflect on the "Pacific Story," an NBC radio docu-drama from 1944, an episode that was a hit with listeners. Moving along, they talk about a new podcast for book lovers: Bookish Asia with Plum Rain Press, and give more details on Plum Rain Press, a name to remember as it may soon become a big part of many readers’ lives. Enjoy the summer and catch you next Thursday!

今年（2024）年是麥當勞來臺40週年（1984-2024）。當初麥當勞準備要進來臺灣時，並不如預想般順遂，甚至對臺灣的農業造成衝擊。然而繼麥當勞之後，臺灣的速食餐廳開始蔚為風潮，各家連鎖品牌開始湧現，甚至還出現了臺灣本土品牌的速食。究竟麥當勞與速食，在臺灣有些什麼故事呢？就讓Formosa Files中文版的兩位主持人來跟大家聊聊。重要單字：ransom、obese、globalization

主持人簡介：

Eryk Michael Smith－ICRT南臺灣特派員，長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯，也會客串DJ。現居高雄，在臺灣已經居住了接近30年，認為臺灣是自己的家。

Eric Hsu（徐葆權）－彰化北斗人，從大學南漂高雄以來，人生的大部分時間都在高雄渡過。關心臺灣文史與地方文化發展，尤其是自己的兩個家鄉：北斗與高雄。

A horrific murder of an American teenager by two other American teenagers in 1985 led to some serious soul-searching:

How could the international community in Taiwan (some of whom don't speak Chinese well enough to get help from local sources) aid those going through mental health crises, are in need of counseling, or simply need better ways to gather and bond?

The answer became the Community Services Center, a place where, for almost 40 years now, people help each other, organize public service activities, take language, weaving, or you-name-it classes, and much more. Adam McMillan (stepping down soon after 11 years as director) has some stories to tell.

Pics, info, and more at formosafiles.com

LISTEN TO THE STORY OF ⁠LOCAL LANGUAGE LOANWORDS ⁠⁠⁠IN CHINESE!

若要說到全世界最知名的外來語，那大概就是「茶」這個字，無論「Cha」或「Tea」，都是隨著陸海貿易流傳世界。而臺灣以及鄰近的中國東南沿海，也因為頻繁的與外國商人貿易或甚至被殖民，而借用、借出了許多字彙，甚至還曾經發展出用於貿易的奇妙語言。

主持人簡介：

Eryk Michael Smith－ICRT南臺灣特派員，長期從事記者採編工作、聲音編輯，也會客串DJ。現居高雄，在臺灣已經居住了接近30年，認為臺灣是自己的家。

Eric Hsu（徐葆權）－彰化北斗人，從大學南漂高雄以來，人生的大部分時間都在高雄渡過。關心臺灣文史與地方文化發展，尤其是自己的兩個家鄉：北斗與高雄。

The current Beijing authorities make bombastic claims as silly as “Taiwan has been part of China since the dawn of the universe!!” The reality, however, is quite different.

Some Chinese dynasties may not have even known of Taiwan’s existence, while others definitely knew, and stayed away. Taiwan was an island filled with “savage” native people, and a great place to die from malaria.

After the forces of Koxinga’s grandson, Zheng Keshuang 鄭克塽, were defeated by Admiral Shi Lang 施琅 in 1683, Qing dynasty China didn't jump at the chance to make the island “a part of China.”

In fact, the great emperor Kangxi 康熙帝 initially thought it best to evacuate Chinese back to China, and leave Taiwan alone. Kangxi went as far as comparing Taiwan to a “skin rash,” saying it will require a lot of “scratching” once they got it.

In the end, Shi Lang convinced the Emperor and Taiwan was absorbed into the Qing dynasty. But only parts of Taiwan.

Links, info, book recommendations, and more at formosafiles.com

LISTEN TO THE STORY OF THE ORANGUTAN CRAZE IN CHINESE!

你相信在1980年代，也就是民國70幾年，在臺灣居然還能看到公然展示殺虎販售嗎？經濟起飛之後，人民變得富裕了，但也開始追求各種稀奇的「補品」或玩賞的動物。雖然今日的臺灣已經不再有這麼誇張的狀況，但就讓我們來聊聊，過去臺灣在野生動物保育上的一些故事。

It’s January 1944 and the tide of WWII has changed. Though it will be a long hard grind, victory is on the horizon. To “better inform the American public,” about the situation in the Pacific, NBC creates a series of radio documentary dramas in Hollywood, with expert writers and professional voice actors. Enjoy this 80-year-old gem that traces the island’s history from the Dutch to the “Chinese” on Japanese Formosa “yearning to rejoin the fatherland... China!” This old radio drama is a wonderful snapshot in time – 1944 – before the events of the following year (Hitler’s death, two atomic bombs dropped on Japan, the formal end of WWII, and Taiwan’s “return” to the Republic of China) shaped the world we live in today.

More info at formosafiles.com