Tainan's garbage is fine, thank you

"We hear it everyday, so although I couldn't understand or speak any English until this week and still can't really, I've certainly picked up and won't forget how to say `how are you' and reply `I'm fine, thank you,'" said Tainan City garbage truck driver Chen Shao-tai (陳紹台). "And of course next week there will be another phrase, which I probably won't forget either."

While the idea of free English language lessons for the masses has been lauded by the politicos as a way in which Tainan can became a truly international city, they are quick to point out that listening to the garbage truck is no way to learn the language properly.

"Obviously we're aware that it's impossible to learn English properly this way and still recommend going to school to study. And we certainly don't expect everyone in Tainan to become proficient," the mayor said. "But by offering them an English-speaking environment in which to interact we hope that it will lead to more residents taking an interest in English and attempting to communicate with foreigners instead of running away because they don't know what to say."

Still two years away, Tainan's hosting of the World Youth Baseball Championships in 2004 has left many in the government hoping that the free English lessons will see locals interacting more with the foreign fans and in turn make the competition even more successful.

The idea isn't without it critics, however. Local language teachers such Karen Lien (連慧苑), an English instructor with the Hess Language School, sees the venture as more of a joke rather than beneficial.

"I don't think it will work. Okay, a few people might pick up a phrase or two, but you don't hang out at the garbage truck you toss you rubbish and leave," Lien said. "I really can't see it making much difference in the numbers and the ability of Tainan residents speaking English."

It's not only English teachers who have been critical of the scheme. Members of Tainan's non-native English-speaking foreign population have also voiced their objections. With one Japanese national asking Hsieh why English was chosen over a multitude of other languages, including Japanese.

"The reason we chose English is simply because the central government's recent promotion of the English language," said the director of Tainan's environmental protection bureau. "While educational, it need not be taken too seriously. It's funny, but with a serious side. And obviously it's uniqueness means there is an emphasis on the feel-good factor. It gives people a reason to smile when they take their garbage out."

For those who can't wait until garbage truck time to practice their English, beginning in October, the city government plans to make fliers printed with the monthly English lessons available from the garbage collectors on request.

Whether this will mean residents of Tainan will fast become the nation's leading speakers of the English language or simply create more garbage, however, remains to be seen.