A: Is this the printing plate? The shiny metal surface is so elegant.
B: Yes, this copper plate was engraved using the mezzotint technique. Mezzotint is Italian for “half tone,” and the French term for it means “black manner,” as the resulting print looks like black velvet. It’s a kind of intaglio printing.
A: Good Heavens, so much terminology, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Could you please explain it in layman’s terms?
Photo: Tania Chou, Taipei Times 照片：台北時報周姲醇
B: Basically, the intaglio printing technique involves applying printing ink over an engraved plate, allowing it to seep into the engraved lines, and then wiping the excess ink away, before pressing the plate onto paper to print the image.
A: So this gold copper plate needs to be covered in black ink to make the print? If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to do that. I think the engraving is a work of art in itself.
A: 這個就是印版畫的版嗎？亮亮的金屬質感，好精緻喔！
B: 嗯，這銅版是用「美柔汀」技法刻的，美柔汀是義大利文，意思是「中間的調子」，法文把它稱作「黑色的方法」，因為它印出來的效果很像黑絲絨，這是屬於一種凹版印刷。
A: 天哪，太多專有名詞了，我都聽不懂！可以麻煩簡單解釋一下嗎？
B: 凹版印刷的基本做法，就是把油墨塗在刻好的版上，讓它滲進刻凹的部分，再刮掉表面上多餘的油墨，然後加壓印到紙上就完成了。
A: 所以這金黃的銅版要塗得黑黑的才能印版畫喔？要是我會捨不得下手。我覺得它本身就是一件獨立的雕刻作品了。
(Translated by Paul Cooper, Taipei Times／台北時報林俐凱)
Audio recordings for Speak Up! dialogues will be suspended until further notice due to the pandemic.
A: It’s a pity that I can’t go to Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue’s concert. B: Why not? A: Hit Japanese singer Kenshi Yonezu is staging two shows at the Taipei Arena this weekend, and I already bought tickets long ago. B: Wow, isn’t he one of the most popular Japanese singers in recent years? A: And Yonezu’s megahit “Lemon” topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100’s year-end chart in 2018 and 2019 consecutively. A: 我不能去澳洲歌后凱莉米諾的演唱會真可惜。 B: 為什麼？ A: 日本人氣歌手米津玄師週末將在小巨蛋熱唱兩場，我早早就買票啦。 B: 哇他可是日本近年來最紅的歌手之一。 A: 米津的神曲《Lemon》甚至還在2018、2019年連續稱霸告示牌日本單曲榜年度冠軍！ (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪)
A: Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue is set to visit Taiwan for the third time on Saturday. B: I remember that her Taipei concerts in 2008 and 2011 caused a sensation, and I love her megahit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” A: This will be her first time performing in the southern city of Kaohsiung. B: Many music critics praise Kylie’s show as “a must-see in your lifetime.” A: Let’s go to Kaohsiung this weekend. A: 澳洲歌后凱莉米諾週六即將三度訪台。 B: 她曾在2008、2011年兩度在台北開唱都造成大轟動，我超愛她的神曲《Can’t Get You Out of My Head》。 A: 這次可是她首度唱進南台灣的高雄呢。 B: 許多樂評家說她的演唱會是「此生必看」！ A: 那我們週末去高雄吧。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
Donburi, often simply called don, is a beloved Japanese dish that consists of a bowl of steamed rice topped with various other ingredients. The word donburi itself actually means “bowl” in Japanese, but it has come to represent much more than just a vessel. Donburi first emerged during the Edo period (1603–1867) as a quick and convenient meal for busy city dwellers. By the 19th century, donburi had become immensely popular among theater enthusiasts, who often purchased these portable meals to enjoy during long performances. Una-don, a donburi topped with grilled eel, was a particular favorite. Easy-to-carry and satisfying,
The Lemon Festival is a fun annual celebration in Menton, France. This festival began in 1934 and honors the region’s exceptional lemons. __1__ in February during the lemon season, the festival features beautiful floats and sculptures covered with dazzling lemons and oranges. These citrus creations are on display in the bright sunshine throughout the day, while at night, they are lit up and turn the town into a __2__ spectacle. The festival’s origins can be traced back to the late 19th century, when Menton was a major lemon producer. __3__, hotels would decorate their spaces with lemons and oranges
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