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台北時報（Taipei Times）翻了我的「博愛座」 今天，英文《台北時報》（Taipei Times）翻譯了我 10 月 8 日在台灣《蘋果日報》的評論文章〈博愛座的語言學〉，Taipei Times 的標題改為 "Priority seating a chance for reflection"。

Priority seating a chance for reflection


The priority seating in public transport systems seems to be the pride of all Taiwanese. Regardless of how crowded the bus or train or metro, the fact that priority seats — "altruism seats" in Chinese — will remain unoccupied for the benefit of those in need is an expression of the good manners of Taiwanese.

However, there have been frequent disputes over the priority seating system in recent years. Some even feel that the whole system is unreasonable and that it should be abolished altogether, because they feel that every seat is a priority seat. I study language, so I approach the issue from a language perspective.

What is altruism? Most dictionaries define it along the lines of "selfless concern for others." It is indeed about moving outside one's close social circles and showing love and concern for everyone and not only oneself, one's family and friends.

What are priority seats? According to the Ministry of Education's online Chinese dictionary, they are "priority seats located close to the entrance on buses for use by older people, the infirm, women, children and disabled people." On the whole, this is a reasonable definition, although it must have been a while since it was written, as it only considers buses, while ignoring metros and other public transport systems. There is also room to improve the description of the beneficiaries of the priority seating.

The priority seating concept might have originated in Europe or the US, so let us take a look at the source. During my doctoral studies in the US 25 years ago, there were always priority seats on buses and subway trains, and they worked pretty much like priority seating here in Taiwan.

Looking at the definition in the ministry's dictionary, it stresses "priority" rather than "exclusivity." In other words, anyone in need has priority of usage, but if there is no one with such a need, anyone can use the seats.

Some English-speaking countries use the term "courtesy seating" rather than "priority seating." The name implies, then, that it is a matter of courtesy and politeness based on kindness and concern for others to let someone in need use the seat.

"Altruism" is a lofty ideal that we can only aspire to live up to, and it should not become an excuse for moral oppression. "Courtesy" is an individually nurtured quality, and since it is dependent on ourselves, it should not be used as an excuse for blaming others. "Priority" is the rule for this kind of seats in Taiwan, and it is the yardstick we all have to live by.

Everyone should show concern for others. It is not something that applies to some people, while others can ignore it. In the same way, everyone should be polite and courteous; it is not something that only applies to others and not to me.

If we sit in a regular seat rather than a priority seat and see someone who needs to sit, we should display our concern for others and spontaneously offer them our seat.

Neither should priority seats be treated as sacred and inviolable so that people are afraid of sitting down, because they might have to endure the disapproving looks of other passengers and feel uneasy — and maybe even become the target of online bullying — just because they need to rest their tired legs.

Priority seats should be just that — seats that are prioritized for those in need. Anyone can use them, as long as they relinquish the seat when they see someone who needs it.

Every time a situation arises due to the use of priority seats, that is an opportunity for reflection. Perhaps more debate and practical action are the way to create understanding and build a lasting consensus on the issue.

Hugo Tseng is an associate professor in Soochow University's English department and a visiting scholar at Fudan University in Shanghai.

Posted by 曾泰元 at 7:53 PM 歡迎歡迎！熱烈歡迎！這裡是《語國一方 Hugo's Corner》，一個語言工作者的部落格。你可以在此分享格主知性的心得，也可以體會他感性的心情。我是東吳大學英文系副教授曾泰元，目前開授英語語言學概論、英語構詞法、英語詞源學、詞典與翻譯（碩士班）、專業英語文翻譯專題：詞彙（碩士班），是一個嚴謹中不失親和力的老師。曾於 2007 年 8 月至 2008 年 7 月任南京大學外國語學院雙語詞典研究中心訪問學者，2016 年 8 月至 2017 年 7 月任復旦大學外文學院英文系訪問學者。於 2001 年 8 月至 2004 年 7 月、2013 年 8 月至 2016 年 7 月期間，曾兩度擔任東吳大學英文系主任。公餘兼職中華民國英語文教師學會（ETA-ROC）常務理事，曾任台灣翻譯學學會（TATI）執行長、詞典及語料庫研究中心（DCRC）首任召集人、亞洲辭書學會（ASIALEX）執行委員會委員。我做事認真負責，為人真心單純，除了希望大家批評指教之外，更渴望的是來自格友的熱情支持與鼓勵，歡迎大家常來造訪。
