Speak My Language 聽我說吧

Back in March, we held a launch event for the release of Speak My Language. It was a chance to celebrate the accomplishments and stories of the Chinese seniors and youth producers with the broader Vancouver community. 

In this bonus episode, you'll be hearing speeches from former coordinator of Yarrow Society Yulanda Lui, MP Jenny Kwan, and project coordinator Rachel Lau. The youth producers then share some insights about their production process and we end with a group panel featuring the producers and a Chinese senior.

We hope this recording of the launch event will bring you the warmth of community in a time of isolation. 

Stay safe and take care. 多謝！

黎婆婆對數十年前在學校裡學到的些許英語詞語記得清清楚楚。然而，這些詞語不足以處理她在士達孔拿鄰區日常生活的需求。她現在終於有機會實現她數十年來學英語的夢想，但是否為時已晚？製作人： Emily Tsang 泳伃。下載本集和查看中/英文本，請點擊 yarrowsociety.ca/nevertooold。英文版聲音紀錄片已在2020年6月29日發佈。

謝婆婆的動作活躍、嗓音明亮、性格獨立，她並不是一位普通的長者。腿腳靈敏的她，到各處處理眾多繁雜的事情。但當「獨立」與身體健康產生衝突時，她該如何應對？面對非母語的醫療系統本可能是一件極為困難的事情，但謝婆婆機智而堅強，就避免了很多麻煩。製作人：Tintin Yang & Sophy Chu 朱子栩。下載本集和查看中/英文本，請點擊 yarrowsociety.ca/doitmyway 。英文版聲音紀錄片已在2020年6月22日發佈。

Mei婆婆來到加拿大時，身上帶著400加元，心裡存著建立新根基的決心。作為一位很有愛心的護理師，Mei婆婆一直花時間和精力幫助他人。從事多年的辛苦工作之後，她現在面臨多種健康問題和一個以英語為主的醫療系統。她克服語言和身體障礙的勇氣堅定不移、對待身邊所有人的慷慨大方，這正是她為人非凡的表現。製作人：Cassandra Ly 李佩儀 & Vanessa Myho。下載本集和查看中/英文本，請點擊 yarrowsociety.ca/meipohpoh。英文版聲音紀錄片已在2020年6月15日發佈。

死亡是每個人最終都需要經歷的事情，但大家在面對死亡的時候不一定能有尊嚴、舒適並被關心地去世。這是一位華人長者在溫哥華的醫療系統中尋求安養的故事，呈現出由語言、文化與死亡引起的緊張關係及其帶來的深思。 製作人：Sera Bao & Kaitlyn Fung 馮嘉欣。下載本集和查看中/英文本，請點擊 yarrowsociety.ca/displacedbydeath。英文版聲音紀錄片已在2020年6月8日發佈。

楊婆婆由於語言障礙和缺乏家人的支持，獲得醫療服務有困難，但她仍然保持積極和堅強的態度。製作人：Jason Yu & Daniel Chen。下載本集和查看中/英文本，請點擊 yarrowsociety.ca/aplaceofyourown。英文版聲音紀錄片已在2020年6月1日發佈。

Lai Poh Poh can recall the few phrases of English she learned in school decades ago vividly. However, those phrases are not useful when she is trying to navigate through her daily life in the Strathcona neighbourhood. She is finally able to fulfill her decades-old dream to learn English but is it too late? Produced by Emily Tsang. Download this episode and access the bilingual transcript at yarrowsociety.ca/nevertooold. The Chinese version of this doc will be released on 3 August 2020.

Animated, loud, and independent, Hsieh Poh Poh isn’t your typical senior. She moves in the world nimbly and is on the go. But what happens when your independence is at odds with your health? Navigating the healthcare system in your second language can be extremely challenging, but Hsieh Poh Poh’s resourcefulness and determination makes all the difference. Produced by Tintin Yang & Sophy Chu. Download this episode and access the bilingual transcript at yarrowsociety.ca/doitmyway. The Chinese version of this doc will be released on 27 July 2020.

Mei Poh Poh arrived in Canada with merely $400 in her pocket and a determination to build a new life. As a compassionate caregiver, Mei Poh Poh dedicated her time and skills to help anyone she could. After many years of hard work, she was confronted with a variety of health issues within an English-dominant healthcare system. Her unwavering courage to overcome language and physical barriers and her generosity to support the community is unlike anyone else. Produced by Cassandra Ly & Vanessa Myho. Download this episode and access the bilingual transcript at yarrowsociety.ca/meipohpoh. The Chinese version of this doc will be released on 20 July 2020.

Death is a universal experience, but not everyone can access it with the care, dignity, and comfort that they deserve. Following the story of one Chinese senior trying to seek end-of-life care in Vancouver’s healthcare system, tensions around language, culture, death, and the reflections that come with them, are revealed. Produced by Sera Bao & Kaitlyn Fung. Download this episode and access the bilingual transcript at yarrowsociety.ca/displacedbydeath. The Chinese version of this doc will be released on 13 July 2020.