Telling the story of the home village—the first stage of the Taroko National Park aborigine interpreter training course completed

The first stage of Taroko National Park HQ’s “2008 Aborigine Interpreter Training”(2008原住民解說員訓練)activity was completed on May 2. The Park’s Director, Lin Yong-fa (林永發處長), encouraged trainees to return to their communities and become excellent interpreters, telling visitors the story of their own village.

The course included basic interpreting concepts and skills, how to tell the story of the home village, the Taroko river ecosystem, emergency rescue and wilderness medicine, preparing for mountain climbing and knowing the native land modules. The "Knowing the native land" module involved village elders climbing with trainees into the high mountains near their village and telling trainees about the village history and environment. This kind of course left trainees with a deep impression and also was very moving for them.

After completing the first stage of the training course, each trainee must guide at least two tour groups for practical training and, after completing this training, will receive a graduation certificate. Those who are willing can also become volunteer interpreters for Taroko National Park HQ, taking part in long-term interpretation work and various other training courses. 

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Taroko National Park Headquarters