※圖書簡介※
本書集結旅美華裔女作家余國英女士發表的三十九篇散文，中英雙語對照；其中《我們的小妹夫》也在2020年“天津好家風小說─成人組競賽”得獎，另二篇英譯作品《The first prize winner》與《One Red Flower among Ten Thousands Green Leaves》也已經蒐錄於“2020-2021 English Short Story Conference Anthology”。
閱讀，是最好的學習，余國英的文采充滿幽默風趣，她的作品字裡行間無不閃現著幽默才華；將中西方文化與生活上的點滴，用中文、英文雙語精確表達，讓人會心一笑。三十九篇文章，篇篇含蓄雋永，妙筆生花，引人入勝，令人不禁莞爾。
◎感謝◎
「那，這樣好了！我把發表过的中文章翻譯成英文再給不讀中文的讀者们看，不就行了嗎？」為了讓不能讀中文的讀者讀我的文章,我自告奮勇，非常慷慨地回答，心想這樣也給了我鍜練自己英文的機会。
不過，英文到底是我的第二語言，伊妹兒給自已人看一看，笑一笑就罷了，要轉寄給大家看，只怕我的英文文字不夠完美，有辱大家的視聽，就央求那些英文修養比較好的親戚朋友們，替我把英文文章编輯一下再發出去，變成不定期的轉寄，沒有想到數年下來，竟然可以積成一本書，真是太高興了！
因為怕太打擾工作繁忙的親戚朋友們，為了要把每人工作擔子減輕一些，所以請求了不止一位來改正編輯，以期減輕各人的工作量，這些人按次序排列，包括：
1，柯艾達，親家，律師及英文教授。
2，秦珊蒂，好友，特殊教育者。
3，李德康，兒子，心理系副主任醫師及教授。
4，周文婷，姨姪女，環境工作者。
5，顏如詩，外甥女，圖書館理員。
6，李維珍，孫女兒，大學畢業。
在此，我誠懇地向上述各位致以深深的謝意，因為佔用了他們寶貴的時間，心力以及他們的知識，而且沒有薪酬，才能有本書的完成。
嘻嘻，我一直認為世人皆吾友，而願意讀我用汗和淚寫出來的小說的中文讀者，或者願意讀過高手編缉過我的英文文章，更是我最最親愛的「好朋友」喲！
誠懇遊請我的好朋友們到我的部落格來交換意見：
http://blog.udn.com/英姐的部落格
海外文軒/余國英
文心社/余國英
Thank You: Edited by Wendy Chou (2019.10.30)
“How about I translate my Chinese articles into English so you can enjoy them with ease?” I suggested to my English reading relatives and friends generosity. And also figure that it will be a very good chance for me to practice my own English as well. Alas, It turned out that was so much easier said than done! After translating some of my published Chinese articles into English, I certainly have to admit that the English really is not my first language! It does need a lot of editing to make the reader really enjoy the articles!
Whom should I ask to do this unprofitable job? Since I don’t have any money to pay for their hard work?
For fear of too much works may take too much of their time, in order to reduce the burden of each person's work, I have asked more than one to share the editing work, they are my dearest friends or relatives:
1, Adela Karliner, In-law, college English professor, Retired lawyer.
2, Sandy Chin, Friend, Special Educationer.
3, Descartes Li, son, professor of psychiatrists
4, Wendy Chu, niece, environmental worker.
5, Ruth Yen, niece, Librarian.
6, Pearl Karliner Li, granddaughter,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all six of them for the time, effort and knowledge they have taken, in order to polish my work!
I have always thought that all the people in the world are all my friends, and those who are willing to read my hard work which were written with my sweat and tears in Chinese, or willing to read the my English article which had been edited by my friends and relatives are all my dearest "best friend"!
Here, I sincerely invite all my best friends to my blog:
http://blog.udn.com/gwenli2013/article
http://www.overseaswindow.com/home/writer/1129
http://www.amazon.com/author/gwen.li
http://wxs.hi2net.com 余國英
Again, Thank you all very much!
◎作者自敘◎
自序
在美國居住已經超過半世紀，一直用中文的繁體字及簡体字來書寫中國同胞在美國異鄉的故事, 因為中文是我這在中國出生的人的第一文字啊!
據兒子和媳婦說，有幾次，他們在餐館吃飯，餐館的經理或服務員居然跑過來對他們說：「昨天的某某報紙或某某雜誌看見你們家奶奶的文章，裡面還提到了你們呢！」
「太好了！可以借來看看嗎？」我兒子告訴我他是如此回答他們的。
等他們拿了報紙來一看，原來是中文的。「媽，妳是知道的喲，我雖然學了幾年中文，但是要我讀中文報紙和雜誌還不太靈光的呀！」兒子向我訴苦。這個苦衷我實在太了解了！因為我在美國住的日子比在中國多了去了，可是，我讀英文還是得一句一推敲，不像讀中文可以一目十行，何况要把自已的意思用英文表達出來呢？
孫子及孫女兒也對我說過：「我的朋友的中國媽媽或者爸爸也跟我說看見過奶奶在報紙雜誌上的文章，可惜哦，我們和我們的朋友或同學，都看不懂中文耶！」其他在美國出生的姪兒、姪女、外甥、外孫女和他們家的人都紛紛表示同意呢！
「那，這樣好了！我把他們翻譯成英文再給你們看，不就行了嗎？」我立刻自告奮勇，非常慷慨地回答，心想這樣也給了我鍜練自己英文的機会呢。
不過，英文到底是我的第二語言，伊妹兒給自已人看一看，笑一笑就罷了，要轉寄給大家看，只怕我的英文文字不夠完美，有辱大家的視聽，就央求那些英文修養比較好的親戚朋友們，替我把英文文章编輯一下再發出去，變成不定期的轉寄，沒有想到數年下來，竟然可以積成一本書，真是太高興了！
因為怕太打擾工作繁忙的親戚朋友們，為了要把每人工作擔子減輕一些，所以請求了好幾位來改正編輯，以期減輕各人的工作，這些人按年齡排列，包括：
1, 柯艾達，親家，英語教授。
2, 秦珊蒂，好友，特殊教育者。
3, 李德康，兒子，心理醫師教授。
4, 周文婷，姨姪女，環境工作者。
5, 顏如詩，外甥女，圖書管理員。
6, 李維珍，孫女，辦公室工作者。
在此，我誠懇地向上述各位致以深深的謝意，因為佔用了他們寶貴的時間，心力以及他們的知識，才能有本書的完成。
本書的文章在報紙雜誌上發表的是用中文寫的，又經作者翻譯成英文，再加上英文文字經過高手的潤色，一定更加精彩。“中英文對照”是把中文的原文放在英文的後面當作参考，想來也是別開生面很有意思的。
嘻嘻，我一直認為世人皆吾友，而願意讀我用汗和淚寫出來的小說的中文讀者，或者願意讀過高手編缉過我的英文文章，更是我最最親愛的「好朋友」喲！
誠懇遊請我的好朋友們到我的部落格來交換意見：
http://blog.udn.com/英姐的部落格
文心社/余國英
海外文軒/余國英
Foreword: Edited by Wendy Chou(2019.10.30)
Having Lived in the United States for more than half a century, I have been using Chinese traditional and simplified characters to write the stories of Chinese compatriots in the U.S., Quite simply, because I was born and lived my formative years in China, so Chinese is my first language.
My son and his wife told me that there have been times when they were eating at a Restaurant, and a manager or waiter came over to say, "Yesterday, in the newspaper we read your mother's article in which she mentioned you!"
"That's great! Can I borrow your paper?” My son would answer.
When the newspaper was brought over, they found it was in Chinese; "Mom, you know, although I’ve studied Chinese for many years, but I can’t read Chinese newspapers and magazines as well as I read English!" My son complained to me.
The same thing happened to the next generation of my American–born relatives, including my nephews, nieces, and their families and friends as well as my grandchildren.
Deep down in my heart, I do perfectly understand his feelings! Like many naturalized-Chinese Americans, even though I have lived in the U.S. for more years than I lived in China, however, the Chinese language still comes to me lots easier than English does.
To reach all these potential readers, I decided to translate my works into English. And I figured that it would also be a very good chance for me to practice my English. Alas, it turned out to be easier said than done! When I read the translated English version of my article, I suddenly realized that English certainly is my second language! It does need a lot of editing to help the reader really enjoy the article!
For fear that of too many works may take too much of their time, (since after all, I did not have any money to pay any of them), and in order to reduce each person's share of burden, I have asked these dear friends or relatives to share the editing work:
My friend and in-law, Adela Karliner; my friend, Sandra Chin; my son, Descartes Li; my niece, Wendy Chu; Ruth Yen; and my granddaughter, Pearl Karliner Li.
I didn't imagine that in a few years, it would all be accumulated into a book, but it certainly has made me very happy!
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for the time, effort and knowledge that you have contributed to help this book reach completion.
The original articles of this book were published in Chinese, later translated into English by the author, -and the English text were further edited and polished by Sandra, Descartes and Wendy. -Therefore, the original Chinese versions which have been included at the end of the book for reference, should not be thought as word-for-word "English-Chinese parallel texts.” it should be more interesting to read the way it is.
I have always thought that all the world’s people are all my friends, those who are willing to read in Chinese, the work which I created through sweat and tears, or are willing to read in English those words which have been edited by my expert friends and relatives, are all my dearest "best friends"!
I sincerely invite my all
本書集結旅美華裔女作家余國英女士發表的三十九篇散文，中英雙語對照；其中《我們的小妹夫》也在2020年“天津好家風小說─成人組競賽”得獎，另二篇英譯作品《The first prize winner》與《One Red Flower among Ten Thousands Green Leaves》也已經蒐錄於“2020-2021 English Short Story Conference Anthology”。
閱讀，是最好的學習，余國英的文采充滿幽默風趣，她的作品字裡行間無不閃現著幽默才華；將中西方文化與生活上的點滴，用中文、英文雙語精確表達，讓人會心一笑。三十九篇文章，篇篇含蓄雋永，妙筆生花，引人入勝，令人不禁莞爾。
◎感謝◎
「那，這樣好了！我把發表过的中文章翻譯成英文再給不讀中文的讀者们看，不就行了嗎？」為了讓不能讀中文的讀者讀我的文章,我自告奮勇，非常慷慨地回答，心想這樣也給了我鍜練自己英文的機会。
不過，英文到底是我的第二語言，伊妹兒給自已人看一看，笑一笑就罷了，要轉寄給大家看，只怕我的英文文字不夠完美，有辱大家的視聽，就央求那些英文修養比較好的親戚朋友們，替我把英文文章编輯一下再發出去，變成不定期的轉寄，沒有想到數年下來，竟然可以積成一本書，真是太高興了！
因為怕太打擾工作繁忙的親戚朋友們，為了要把每人工作擔子減輕一些，所以請求了不止一位來改正編輯，以期減輕各人的工作量，這些人按次序排列，包括：
1，柯艾達，親家，律師及英文教授。
2，秦珊蒂，好友，特殊教育者。
3，李德康，兒子，心理系副主任醫師及教授。
4，周文婷，姨姪女，環境工作者。
5，顏如詩，外甥女，圖書館理員。
6，李維珍，孫女兒，大學畢業。
在此，我誠懇地向上述各位致以深深的謝意，因為佔用了他們寶貴的時間，心力以及他們的知識，而且沒有薪酬，才能有本書的完成。
嘻嘻，我一直認為世人皆吾友，而願意讀我用汗和淚寫出來的小說的中文讀者，或者願意讀過高手編缉過我的英文文章，更是我最最親愛的「好朋友」喲！
誠懇遊請我的好朋友們到我的部落格來交換意見：
http://blog.udn.com/英姐的部落格
海外文軒/余國英
文心社/余國英
Thank You: Edited by Wendy Chou (2019.10.30)
“How about I translate my Chinese articles into English so you can enjoy them with ease?” I suggested to my English reading relatives and friends generosity. And also figure that it will be a very good chance for me to practice my own English as well. Alas, It turned out that was so much easier said than done! After translating some of my published Chinese articles into English, I certainly have to admit that the English really is not my first language! It does need a lot of editing to make the reader really enjoy the articles!
Whom should I ask to do this unprofitable job? Since I don’t have any money to pay for their hard work?
For fear of too much works may take too much of their time, in order to reduce the burden of each person's work, I have asked more than one to share the editing work, they are my dearest friends or relatives:
1, Adela Karliner, In-law, college English professor, Retired lawyer.
2, Sandy Chin, Friend, Special Educationer.
3, Descartes Li, son, professor of psychiatrists
4, Wendy Chu, niece, environmental worker.
5, Ruth Yen, niece, Librarian.
6, Pearl Karliner Li, granddaughter,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all six of them for the time, effort and knowledge they have taken, in order to polish my work!
I have always thought that all the people in the world are all my friends, and those who are willing to read my hard work which were written with my sweat and tears in Chinese, or willing to read the my English article which had been edited by my friends and relatives are all my dearest "best friend"!
Here, I sincerely invite all my best friends to my blog:
http://blog.udn.com/gwenli2013/article
http://www.overseaswindow.com/home/writer/1129
http://www.amazon.com/author/gwen.li
http://wxs.hi2net.com 余國英
Again, Thank you all very much!
◎作者自敘◎
自序
在美國居住已經超過半世紀，一直用中文的繁體字及簡体字來書寫中國同胞在美國異鄉的故事, 因為中文是我這在中國出生的人的第一文字啊!
據兒子和媳婦說，有幾次，他們在餐館吃飯，餐館的經理或服務員居然跑過來對他們說：「昨天的某某報紙或某某雜誌看見你們家奶奶的文章，裡面還提到了你們呢！」
「太好了！可以借來看看嗎？」我兒子告訴我他是如此回答他們的。
等他們拿了報紙來一看，原來是中文的。「媽，妳是知道的喲，我雖然學了幾年中文，但是要我讀中文報紙和雜誌還不太靈光的呀！」兒子向我訴苦。這個苦衷我實在太了解了！因為我在美國住的日子比在中國多了去了，可是，我讀英文還是得一句一推敲，不像讀中文可以一目十行，何况要把自已的意思用英文表達出來呢？
孫子及孫女兒也對我說過：「我的朋友的中國媽媽或者爸爸也跟我說看見過奶奶在報紙雜誌上的文章，可惜哦，我們和我們的朋友或同學，都看不懂中文耶！」其他在美國出生的姪兒、姪女、外甥、外孫女和他們家的人都紛紛表示同意呢！
「那，這樣好了！我把他們翻譯成英文再給你們看，不就行了嗎？」我立刻自告奮勇，非常慷慨地回答，心想這樣也給了我鍜練自己英文的機会呢。
不過，英文到底是我的第二語言，伊妹兒給自已人看一看，笑一笑就罷了，要轉寄給大家看，只怕我的英文文字不夠完美，有辱大家的視聽，就央求那些英文修養比較好的親戚朋友們，替我把英文文章编輯一下再發出去，變成不定期的轉寄，沒有想到數年下來，竟然可以積成一本書，真是太高興了！
因為怕太打擾工作繁忙的親戚朋友們，為了要把每人工作擔子減輕一些，所以請求了好幾位來改正編輯，以期減輕各人的工作，這些人按年齡排列，包括：
1, 柯艾達，親家，英語教授。
2, 秦珊蒂，好友，特殊教育者。
3, 李德康，兒子，心理醫師教授。
4, 周文婷，姨姪女，環境工作者。
5, 顏如詩，外甥女，圖書管理員。
6, 李維珍，孫女，辦公室工作者。
在此，我誠懇地向上述各位致以深深的謝意，因為佔用了他們寶貴的時間，心力以及他們的知識，才能有本書的完成。
本書的文章在報紙雜誌上發表的是用中文寫的，又經作者翻譯成英文，再加上英文文字經過高手的潤色，一定更加精彩。“中英文對照”是把中文的原文放在英文的後面當作参考，想來也是別開生面很有意思的。
嘻嘻，我一直認為世人皆吾友，而願意讀我用汗和淚寫出來的小說的中文讀者，或者願意讀過高手編缉過我的英文文章，更是我最最親愛的「好朋友」喲！
誠懇遊請我的好朋友們到我的部落格來交換意見：
http://blog.udn.com/英姐的部落格
文心社/余國英
海外文軒/余國英
Foreword: Edited by Wendy Chou(2019.10.30)
Having Lived in the United States for more than half a century, I have been using Chinese traditional and simplified characters to write the stories of Chinese compatriots in the U.S., Quite simply, because I was born and lived my formative years in China, so Chinese is my first language.
My son and his wife told me that there have been times when they were eating at a Restaurant, and a manager or waiter came over to say, "Yesterday, in the newspaper we read your mother's article in which she mentioned you!"
"That's great! Can I borrow your paper?” My son would answer.
When the newspaper was brought over, they found it was in Chinese; "Mom, you know, although I’ve studied Chinese for many years, but I can’t read Chinese newspapers and magazines as well as I read English!" My son complained to me.
The same thing happened to the next generation of my American–born relatives, including my nephews, nieces, and their families and friends as well as my grandchildren.
Deep down in my heart, I do perfectly understand his feelings! Like many naturalized-Chinese Americans, even though I have lived in the U.S. for more years than I lived in China, however, the Chinese language still comes to me lots easier than English does.
To reach all these potential readers, I decided to translate my works into English. And I figured that it would also be a very good chance for me to practice my English. Alas, it turned out to be easier said than done! When I read the translated English version of my article, I suddenly realized that English certainly is my second language! It does need a lot of editing to help the reader really enjoy the article!
For fear that of too many works may take too much of their time, (since after all, I did not have any money to pay any of them), and in order to reduce each person's share of burden, I have asked these dear friends or relatives to share the editing work:
My friend and in-law, Adela Karliner; my friend, Sandra Chin; my son, Descartes Li; my niece, Wendy Chu; Ruth Yen; and my granddaughter, Pearl Karliner Li.
I didn't imagine that in a few years, it would all be accumulated into a book, but it certainly has made me very happy!
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for the time, effort and knowledge that you have contributed to help this book reach completion.
The original articles of this book were published in Chinese, later translated into English by the author, -and the English text were further edited and polished by Sandra, Descartes and Wendy. -Therefore, the original Chinese versions which have been included at the end of the book for reference, should not be thought as word-for-word "English-Chinese parallel texts.” it should be more interesting to read the way it is.
I have always thought that all the world’s people are all my friends, those who are willing to read in Chinese, the work which I created through sweat and tears, or are willing to read in English those words which have been edited by my expert friends and relatives, are all my dearest "best friends"!
I sincerely invite my all