My Chinese program in Taiwan has a language pledge that will go into effect tonight at midnight and continue until August 16th, during which time I am not permitted to use any language other than Chinese for communication.

Although the rule only applies within the confines of the ICLP building, the director told us that this is only because he cannot feasibly enforce it outside of ICLP. In fact, he hopes we will take it as a personal challenge to uphold the vow at all times.

I intend on rising to this challenge, and so all posts from today onwards I will first write in Chinese, and then post both the Chinese version and an English translation (done by my official translator, not by myself). As a result, the language of my posts after today will abrubtly become much simpler (but, hopefully, will then little by little increase in complexity). I have also arranged for all of my emails during this period to go through my translator, so that I can avoid being exposed to harmful emails written in English: