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For many of us, the start of the new year is the time we often dust off our language dictionaries and workbooks and resolve to learn a new language. We conjure up dreams of communicating seamlessly with locals during our next trip and impressing our friends with newfound skills. But most of the time, as we get caught up in work and life, our plans get shelved along with our books.
對很多人來說，新的一年是吹去詞典和筆記本上的灰塵，學(xué)習(xí)新語言的好機(jī)會。我們總是夢想著在下一次旅行之中可以毫無障礙的和當(dāng)?shù)厝私徽劊屌笥褌儗ψ约捍鬄橘潎@。但大多數(shù)時(shí)光，我們還是深陷工作和生活之中，很多的計(jì)劃也只是束之高閣。
But the truth is, learning a language shouldn’t be a chore. After all, reading, listening, and chatting with others are all great, enjoyable activities, and learning should be, too. And it also can be easy—if you approach it in a fresh way.
實(shí)際上，學(xué)習(xí)語言不該是個(gè)累人的活。畢竟，閱讀、聽力以及和別人交流都應(yīng)該是很棒很享受的事情，那么學(xué)習(xí)也應(yīng)該這樣。如果你能有全新的學(xué)習(xí)方法的話，那么學(xué)習(xí)語言也可以很簡單。
1. Learn as if You’re (Really) Young
1. 像孩子般學(xué)習(xí)
When I start to learn languages, I often approach it through the eyes of a child. Children’s books and learning materials start with the basics and break them down into small fragments—and when you’re pressed for time, that can be much easier than getting into a dense workbook.
當(dāng)我開始學(xué)習(xí)語言時(shí)，我總是用孩童般的眼光去學(xué)習(xí)它。孩子們的書籍以及學(xué)習(xí)資料都十分基礎(chǔ)，還分成了很多的小單元——如果你時(shí)間緊張，這會比你翻一本厚厚的筆記本簡單多了。
When I first started learning Korean, I learned my numbers in 10 minutes with the Korean Numbers Song. Later, I used children’s books and music videos to help gauge when I was ready to move past an introductory level. When I got to Korea, I gained confidence by speaking to nieces and younger students—they understood my basic words, and I wasn’t so worried about messing up. These conversations gave me the foundation to learn “formal” Korean later.
我最先開始學(xué)韓語時(shí)，十分鐘就學(xué)會了數(shù)字，這多虧了韓語數(shù)字歌的幫忙。接著，我用孩童的書籍和音樂視頻為標(biāo)準(zhǔn)，來檢測自己是否已度過了初級階段。當(dāng)我到了韓國，和侄女們以及學(xué)生聊天讓我充滿信心——他們能聽懂我的基礎(chǔ)詞匯，我也不需要擔(dān)心說的亂七八糟。這些對話是我后來學(xué)習(xí)正式韓語的基礎(chǔ)。
2. Watch Movies
2. 看電影
Before I left for India, I got to know the three Khans—Shurukh, Salman, and Aamir—three of the most popular Bollywood Stars of our time. I immersed myself in their movies and songs, which not only made my ear familiar with the inflection and sounds of Hindi language, but also helped me learn a few basic phrases.
出發(fā)去印度時(shí)，我只知道三個(gè)叫“汗”的人：舒如克·汗, 薩爾曼·汗和阿米爾·汗，他們是我們這個(gè)時(shí)代寶萊塢最出名的明星。我瘋狂的看他們的電影，聽他們的歌，這不僅讓我的耳朵對印地語的發(fā)音無比熟悉，還幫我學(xué)習(xí)了一些簡單的詞組。
Of course, my first words in Hindi, “Tere naam le ke” (my heart takes your name) didn’t really help me order food or get around Mumbai efficiently. But, because I understood how real Hindi is spoken, as I learned the language, I ended up speaking it fluidly instead of like a robot (as I might from one of those audio-lessons). I also got to bond with my host family about the movies I had seen and the music I liked.
當(dāng)然，我學(xué)會的第一句印度語“Tere naam le ke”（我的心里刻了你的名字），雖然在點(diǎn)菜以及孟買游玩時(shí)并沒幫上什么大忙，但因?yàn)槲伊私庹鎸?shí)生活中的印地語是如何說的，所以我的發(fā)音非常流暢，完全不是音頻教程中那種機(jī)器般的發(fā)音。那些以前看過的這些電影和喜歡的音樂，還讓我和主人家庭關(guān)系更加密切。
In Thailand and Japan, I learned a lot of basic phrases by studying karaoke songs—and even performing them! While it was embarrassing at first, it did help me practice my language, and also prepare for business situations (where karaoke is a common networking event).
在泰國和日本，我學(xué)習(xí)卡拉OK里的歌曲，甚至表演它們，讓我會了不少基礎(chǔ)的詞組。雖然剛開始會很尷尬，但的確在提高我的語言上幫了大忙，還為談生意做好了準(zhǔn)備（卡拉OK可是最普遍的交際活動(dòng)呀！）
3. Go Shopping
3. 購物
Instead of reading about the local market in your language text, why not just go there? Visit the Chinatown, Koreatown, or other ethnic neighborhood in your city at home, and talk with people to practice numbers, basic words and phrases, and polite formalities. I’ve found that vendors (especially in the U.S.) are always happy to chat with me, and even happier to help correct my language mistakes. It’s a great place to practice a lot of conversation in a short amount of time.
與其在你母語的語境下去當(dāng)?shù)爻匈徫铮瑸槭裁床蝗コ鞘欣锩娴闹袊牵n國城或其他異國區(qū)域呢？通過和這些人交談來練習(xí)數(shù)字、基本的對話以及詞組和禮貌用語。我發(fā)現(xiàn)那些賣家（尤其在美國）通常都很樂于和我交談，甚至愿意幫我改正我的語言錯(cuò)誤。如果你想短時(shí)間內(nèi)大量練習(xí)對話，這可是個(gè)好去處。
4. Use Technology to Learn Like a Local
4. 向當(dāng)?shù)厝艘粯邮褂每萍紝W(xué)習(xí)
There’s no need to invest in expensive software when there are so many free resources and apps out there. With a few downloads and apps, you can get daily updates and lessons, speak with a native over Skype, or have Google hangouts with people who are also learning. You can also get one-on-one attention with teachers and tutors on some of these sites. In addition, the BBC has great language learning guides, which offer insight into culture and everyday life in other countries.
沒必要花錢去買昂貴的軟件，有很多免費(fèi)的資源和app可以使用啊。下載一些app，你每天都可以更新課程，和當(dāng)?shù)厝擞胹kype聊天，或者是和其他學(xué)習(xí)者用谷歌視頻群聊進(jìn)行交談。在某些網(wǎng)站，你還能得到老師一對一的指導(dǎo)。另外，BBC有大量的學(xué)習(xí)指南，供你學(xué)習(xí)其他國家的文化以及日常生活。
5. Speak as Much as You Can
5. 盡可能多說
The only way language will stick is by speaking and listening often, so take any opportunity you can find to use another language. Talk to friends from other countries, try out an ethnic restaurant and speak to the owners in their language, or join meet-ups of like-minded language learners. Even when I’m at home, I try to speak new words and ask about how things are pronounced correctly in a different language. Remember to work on your accent and tones—one of the best compliments to receive is “your accent is really good!”
學(xué)好語言的唯一方法就是多說多聽，所以把握住任何你能使用其他語言的方法。和異國的朋友們聊天，試試去異國的飯店吃飯，用他們的語言和老板交談，或是參加語言學(xué)習(xí)者聚會。即使我在家時(shí)我也試著說新詞，看看不同語言的發(fā)音到底有何不同。記得要改進(jìn)你的口音和音調(diào)——最好的贊美莫過于“你的口音太棒啦！”
Learning a language doesn’t have to be a resolution that gets tabled again—it can be something to embrace in a fun new way. So as you prepare to travel to a new country this year, don’t be afraid to dive into the language. You may not become fluent, but knowing a little bit will go a long way.
學(xué)習(xí)語言不是正兒八經(jīng)的解決方法，塔可以是充滿樂趣的學(xué)習(xí)過程。如果你今年準(zhǔn)備去異國旅行，別害怕語言的問題。你也許不能達(dá)到流利的程度，但是知道點(diǎn)皮毛都能讓你旅途無憂了。
