1它跟。。。。。。呼吸一樣困難

1 it's with. . . . . . Breathing is as difficult as breathing.

“學(xué)習(xí)中文真難，”她對(duì)我說?！拔艺J(rèn)真學(xué)過兩年，但只掌握了些基本的。沒有人學(xué)中文能比那再快了?！?/p>

"it's hard to learn Chinese," she said to me. "I have been studying hard for two years, but I have only mastered some basic things. No one can learn Chinese much faster than that. "

我那時(shí)是在香港參加一個(gè)研討會(huì)，那位女士就是那么說的。她學(xué)過中文，并且，很明顯她學(xué)得很費(fèi)勁。但事

I was attending a seminar in Hong Kong, the lady that's what he said. She studied Chinese, and, apparently, she had a hard time. But the thing

實(shí)上不一定要那么難的。這肯定不同于我的經(jīng)歷和其他很多輕松有效地掌握一門新語言的人們的經(jīng)歷。

It doesn't have to be that hard. This is certainly different from my experience and many other experiences of people who have mastered a new language with ease and effectiveness.

我跟她說，西方人也能很快學(xué)會(huì)中文---實(shí)際上，幾個(gè)月就可以。她告訴我這是不可能的，并且她看著我的

I told her that Westerners can learn Chinese quickly too-in fact, a few months. She told me it was impossible, and she looked at me.

樣子，好像我瘋了。

Looks like I'm crazy.

我沒有跟她爭論，而是決定寫這本書。

I didn't argue with her, but decided to write the book.

這本書是關(guān)于你的，關(guān)于怎樣比你想像的還要更快更容易地掌握一門語言。這本書也是關(guān)于我的，因?yàn)樗?/p>

This book is about you, about how to master a language faster and easier than you might think. This book is about me, too, because it's chasing

隨了我學(xué)習(xí)普通話和廣東話的整個(gè)過程。而這兩種語言在很多西方人看來是相當(dāng)難的語言。這些學(xué)習(xí)語言的

Along with the whole process of learning Mandarin and Cantonese. And these two languages are quite difficult for many Westerners to see. These are the languages that learn

經(jīng)驗(yàn)同樣適用于那些被認(rèn)為比較容易的語言。

Experience also applies to languages that are considered to be easier.

在接下來，我會(huì)跟大家分享我個(gè)人學(xué)習(xí)語言的方法和技巧，同樣也是其他學(xué)習(xí)語言的成功人士運(yùn)用的方法和

In the following, I will share with you my personal learning the methods and skills of language, but also the methods and the use of other language learning success

技巧。

Skills.

我寫這本書只有一個(gè)簡單的目的--我想幫你發(fā)現(xiàn)如何更好更有效地運(yùn)用你與生俱來的語言天賦。畢竟，你無

I write this book for a simple purpose-I want to help you find out how to use your natural language talents better and more effectively. After all, you don't.

論如何是個(gè)語言天才---如果你掌握了你的母語那么你一定是。記住，當(dāng)你來到這個(gè)世界時(shí)，你不知道任何單

How to be a language genius if you master your mother tongue, you must be. Remember, when you come to this world, you don't know any single

詞和語法。你沒有什么可以依靠，但是，你還是學(xué)會(huì)了流利地說話。

Words and grammar. You have nothing to rely on, but you still learn to speak fluently.

如果你正在讀這本書，你很可能想學(xué)一門新語言。也許，你將去一個(gè)新的國家生活或工作。也許你已經(jīng)在國

If you are reading this book, you will probably want to learn a new language. Maybe you will live or work in a new country. Maybe you're already in the country.

外了。也許你已經(jīng)做出決定，出于工作或其他原因，即便是呆在國內(nèi)你也要掌握一門新語言?；蛟S你只是對(duì)

Out. You may have to make a decision, for reasons of work or for other reasons, even if it is to stay in the country you want to master a new language. Maybe you just

學(xué)習(xí)新語言感興趣。無論你的理由是什么，我肯定你想輕松快樂地學(xué)會(huì)它。

Interested in learning a new language. No matter what your reasons are, I'm sure you want to take it easy and happy to learn it.

但是它那么難！--—-不是的

But it is so hard! ----I am not.

我大部分時(shí)間呆在香港，但是我經(jīng)常去亞洲的其它地方。無論在哪，西方人總在為學(xué)習(xí)漢語或者越南語或者

I spend most of my time in Hong Kong, but I often go to other parts of Asia. No matter where, the total for the west to learn Chinese or Vietnamese or

其他亞洲語言而掙扎。很多人都已經(jīng)放棄學(xué)習(xí)這些語言。同時(shí)我也看見亞洲人學(xué)英語或者其他外國語。他們

Other Asian languages are struggling. A lot of people have given up on learning the language. At the same time I saw the Asian people to learn English or other foreign languages. They

同樣在掙扎著！

Also in the struggle!

的確，有很多人已經(jīng)學(xué)會(huì)至少一種外語。有些人做得很棒。很多認(rèn)為學(xué)習(xí)語言特別難的人，覺得那些成功的

Indeed, there are a lot of people have to learn at least one foreign language. Some of them doing great. Many think of language learning as particularly difficult people, think of those who are successful

人天生就是學(xué)語言的料。這個(gè)結(jié)論常被用作不嘗試學(xué)習(xí)的借口。這很可悲，因?yàn)閷?duì)應(yīng)著一個(gè)成功的人，似乎

People are born to learn a language material. This conclusion is often used as an excuse for not trying to learn. It's pathetic, because it corresponds to a man of success, it seems

就有幾十人覺得這太難了或者是不可能的。尤其是學(xué)習(xí)兩種截然不同的語言，如英語和中文。

More than several ten people think it is too difficult or impossible. Especially with two totally different languages, such as English and Chinese.

就在前幾天，我在香港坐渡輪回家。天晚了我有些餓，于是我來到一個(gè)餐廳叫了雞蛋面（一種中式快餐）。

Just a few days ago, I was in Hong Kong Ferry home. Getting late, I got hungry, so I went to a restaurant called the egg surface (a kind of Chinese-style fast food).

我剛點(diǎn)完，一個(gè)年輕的英國人問我怎么用粵語說“雞蛋面”。大部分在香港的西方人一般都不會(huì)去嘗試說粵

I had just finished, and a young Englishman asked me how to say "egg noodles" in Cantonese. Most Westerners in Hong Kong do not generally try to speak Cantonese

語。他們甚至還沒開始就已經(jīng)放棄了。所以，這有些新奇，但我歡迎。

Language. They have given up even before they even started. So, this is a bit of a novelty, but I welcome it.

于是，我告訴這位年輕人怎么用粵語說雞蛋面：daan meen.他跟著我重復(fù)了一遍，發(fā)音和音調(diào)近乎完美。我

So I told the young man how to speak the egg noodles in Cantonese: daan meen. He repeated it with me, and the pronunciation and intonation were almost perfect. I...

點(diǎn)頭并微笑，說道“對(duì)，很對(duì)”。然后我又重復(fù)了一遍。他有很準(zhǔn)確地再說了一遍。

Nod and smile and say "yes, very right". And then I repeated it. He said it quite accurately.

深吸了一口氣，他轉(zhuǎn)身向柜臺(tái)后的服務(wù)員點(diǎn)他的面，突然間泄了氣，緊張地說道，“我還是留到下次吧”，然

He took a deep breath and turned to the waiter behind the counter to point his face. Suddenly, he let out a sigh of relief and said nervously, "I'll keep it till next time," but

后他用英語點(diǎn)了。

After that he used English to order.

多讓人失望??！這位年輕人正走向?qū)W語言的成功之路，然后就那么輕易放走了第一次成功的機(jī)會(huì)。他握住

What a disappointment! The young man was on his way to learning language, and then he let his first chance of success be so easy. He took it.

了，但又讓它跑了！如果你僅從數(shù)量上考慮，一個(gè)短語算不了什么。但是，即便只是說幾個(gè)詞然后得到一個(gè)

, But also let him get away! If you only consider the number of a phrase that is nothing. But, even if it's just to say a few words and then get a

結(jié)果也是至關(guān)重要的。當(dāng)你克服了尷尬這第一個(gè)障礙，開始用新語言跟人交流，你就已經(jīng)成功了。一個(gè)詞，

The results are also crucial. When you overcome the first obstacle to embarrassment, start communicating with people in new languages, and you have already succeeded. A word,

兩個(gè)。一些手勢。你就出發(fā)了。

Two. Some gestures. You set off.

我再?zèng)]跟他說過話，但是我猜想他會(huì)一邊走一邊覺得，廣東話對(duì)于他來說太難了，即使他已經(jīng)清楚地證明他

I haven't spoken to him, but I guess he's going to walk, think, speak Cantonese too difficult for him, even though he has been clearly proved that he

能把其中的一部分說得很準(zhǔn)確！

You can tell a part of it very accurately!

那么為什么會(huì)這樣呢？我相信有一個(gè)很簡單的解釋。當(dāng)今世界上很多人都接受了這樣一個(gè)神話，就是一種新

Why is this happening? I'm sure there's a very simple explanation. In today's world many people to accept such a myth is a kind of new

語言很難學(xué)好。問問那些人為什么他們不會(huì)說其他的語言，他們會(huì)說他們沒有語言天賦，或者他們不能分辨

Language is hard to learn. Ask those people why they don't speak other languages, they say they have no language talent, or they can't tell.

音調(diào)（不學(xué)中文的一個(gè)好借口），或者相信已經(jīng)證明成年人不能輕松容易地學(xué)會(huì)外語。或者.…我很討厭這

A good excuse to learn Chinese tones (not), or that have shown that adults are not easy to learn a foreign language. Or... I'm sick of this

一個(gè)“他們說我們的語言，我們?yōu)槭裁匆M(fèi)勁學(xué)他們的呢？”

A "they speak our language, why do we bother to learn from them?" "

要學(xué)語言的原因

The reason for learning language

學(xué)習(xí)一種新的語言有很多原因。首先，它很有趣。當(dāng)你真正進(jìn)入了，你可能會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn)它會(huì)開闊你的世界。你會(huì)

There are many reasons why learning a new language. To begin with, it's fun. When you really get into it, you may find that it will broaden your world. You're going to

從你原來從未想過的角度來看世界.當(dāng)然，也有很多實(shí)際的原因。

From the point of view of the world you never thought. Of course, there are also many practical reasons.

想一下，今天我們必須處理的問題很多是源于溝通不好。你很可能聽過這樣一個(gè)古老的笑話，講的是英國人

Think about it, today we have to deal with many of the problems stem from poor communication. You probably have heard of such an old joke, it's about the British

和美國人被同一種語言隔開。即使我們說同樣一種語言，交流的問題依然存在。

And the United States were separated by the same language. Even though we say the same of a language, communication problems still exist.

最近我被安排促進(jìn)一個(gè)中美合資企業(yè)高級(jí)管理人員會(huì)議。這個(gè)管理團(tuán)隊(duì)共有12人，八個(gè)來自一方，四個(gè)來自

Recently, I was the Organization of the meeting of senior managers to promote a Sino-American joint venture. This management team a total of 12 people, eight from the party, four from

另一方。11個(gè)中國人，還有1個(gè)是美國人-他中文很流利。

The other party. 11 People in China, there are 1 Americans-he speaks fluent Chinese.

隨著會(huì)議的進(jìn)展，我很清楚地知道許多中國人（相互之間）有沖突，因?yàn)樗麄儧]有意識(shí)到，雖然他們意思

As the session progressed, I'm well aware that many people in China (with each other) in conflict, because they don't realize that, although they mean

一樣，他們用的詞語不同。他們制造著一種被我稱之為“幽靈沖突”的東西--這種沖突發(fā)生時(shí)，你覺得你們不

Like, they used different words. They created a conflict that is what I call the "ghost" thing-such a conflict occurs, do you think you are?

一致，但實(shí)際上是一致的。

The same, but in fact are the same.

舉一個(gè)“幽靈沖突”的例子。你可能遇到過這樣的情況，你和別人在約定什么時(shí)間什么地點(diǎn)見面。你說：“在郵

To cite an example of "the spectre of conflict". You may have encountered such a situation, what what you and others at the appointed time and place to meet. You said: "in the mail

局左邊的咖啡店。”

Bureau left the coffee shop. "

你的朋友回答道“郵局的左邊沒有咖啡店！”并且奇怪地看著你。當(dāng)然，你知道你是對(duì)的，并堅(jiān)持說：“郵局

Your friend replied, "the left side of the post office is no coffee!" And strange to look at you. Of course, you know, you're right, and insisted: "the post office

的左邊肯定有咖啡店?！?/p>

Must have left the coffee shop. "

你們兩方都不退讓，很快你發(fā)現(xiàn)你們進(jìn)入了激烈的爭執(zhí)，卻不大明白究竟是怎么開始的。你肯定在郵局的左

Both of you don't give, and soon you find that you have entered a heated argument, but don't understand is how it started. I'm sure you left at the post office

邊有一個(gè)咖啡店。而你的朋友也同樣確定那沒有。

There's a coffee shop. And your friends are equally sure that they don't.

如果幸運(yùn)的話，你倆會(huì)停下來分析究竟發(fā)生了什么，從而避免了友誼的破壞。結(jié)果是，你是從站在郵局對(duì)面

If you're lucky, you two would stop and the analysis of what happened, so as to avoid the destruction of friendship. The result is that you are across from the station at the post office

的角度來考慮整個(gè)情況。在郵局旁邊有一個(gè)咖啡店。當(dāng)你面對(duì)郵局的時(shí)候，它在你的左手邊。

To consider the whole situation. There is a coffee shop next to the post office. When you face the post office, it is on your left hand.

你的朋友以不同的方式來思考。她的角度是從郵局出來。街道在前面，郵局在她后面。從那個(gè)角度看，如果

A different way of thinking about your friends. Her perspective is from the post office. The street in front of the post office behind her. From that point of view, if

她向右轉(zhuǎn)，沿街就有一個(gè)咖啡店。

She turned to the right and there was a coffee shop along the street.

爭執(zhí)的發(fā)生是因?yàn)閮蓚€(gè)人都沒有理解對(duì)方的角度。在這個(gè)例子中，你的朋友忘記說，在她頭腦中右邊有一個(gè)

The argument happened because neither of them understood each other's angle. In this case, your friend forgets to say that there is a right hand in her head

咖啡店。她只是不同意你說左邊有一個(gè)咖啡店。

The coffee shop. She just doesn't agree with you that there is a coffee shop.

所以，情況就成了你們發(fā)現(xiàn)雙方在爭執(zhí)，但實(shí)際上沒有什么分歧。你們都知道那有一個(gè)咖啡店。你們?cè)谧约?/p>

So, it's the situation where you find that the two sides are in dispute, but in fact, there is no difference. You all know there's a coffee shop. You're on your own.

頭腦中都能看到它。但是你倆還是為了咖啡店到底在不在那個(gè)位置而爭論。這是由信息的缺失和對(duì)同一問題

You can see it in mind. But the two of you to the coffee shop in the end is not in the position to argue. This is due to the lack of information and to the same question,

從不同角度看待而引起的。是一個(gè)“幽靈沖突”。當(dāng)你們意識(shí)到你們實(shí)際上想的一樣時(shí)，沖突就結(jié)束了。

Arising from a different perspective. The spectre of a "conflict". When you realize that you actually want the same thing, the conflict is over.

現(xiàn)在請(qǐng)記住，這樣的事情發(fā)生在講同一種語言的人身上！想象一下當(dāng)人們講不同的語言時(shí)會(huì)發(fā)生什么。正如

Now, remember, this happens to people who speak the same language! Think about what happens when people speak different languages. Just like

不同文化的人們嘗試一起工作時(shí)經(jīng)常會(huì)發(fā)生的一樣。

Different cultures as so often happens when people try to work together.

那天，因?yàn)槲覀兲接懥瞬煌说男闹悄Ｊ?，并解決了“幽靈沖突”，我們可以開始討論小組中更重要和更難

On that day, because we discussed different patterns of the human mind, and to solve the conflict of "ghost", we can begin to discuss in the group is more important and more difficult

的領(lǐng)域。當(dāng)我們更深入這些的時(shí)候，你可以想像，會(huì)說他人語言的重要性變得明顯起來。我注意到，即便那

. 's field. As we go deeper into this, you can imagine that the importance of speaking other people's language becomes apparent. And I noticed that even that

位美國經(jīng)理的中文很流利，他還是會(huì)誤解一些中國經(jīng)理的動(dòng)機(jī)。很明顯，中國經(jīng)理的意圖是好的。但他們不

The American manager is fluent in Chinese and he will still misunderstand the motives of some Chinese managers. Clearly, the Chinese manager's intentions are good. But they don't.

能表達(dá)清楚什么對(duì)他們最重要。所以他們溝通不好。為了弄明白解決的辦法，美國經(jīng)理需要知道一些細(xì)微的

Be able to express what's important to them. So they couldn't communicate well. In order to understand the solution, the United States manager needs to know some of the fine

語言差異，還要了解個(gè)人經(jīng)歷和文化界限。

Language differences, but also to understand the personal experience and cultural boundaries.

通過努力，反復(fù)討論生意和個(gè)人事務(wù)，我們確實(shí)把問題解決了。今天，這家合資公司通過更高層次的協(xié)作，

By working hard and repeatedly talking about business and personal matters, we did solve the problem. Today, the joint venture, through a much higher level of collaboration,

運(yùn)作更加有效率了。

The operation more efficient.

后來，當(dāng)我再回顧這件事，我想如果參會(huì)者不能說同一種語言（在這里是中文），我們還能否這么容易解決

Later, when I look back on this thing, I think if participants do not speak the same language (in this case English), we can be so easily solved

問題？如果唯一的溝通是通過一個(gè)口譯，那又會(huì)發(fā)生什么？我一想就發(fā)抖…

Problem? If the only communication is through an interpreter, what happens? I tremble when I think about it …

我參加過有口譯人員的會(huì)議，他們總是不能把原話中所有微妙之處和多層次的含義表達(dá)出來。不是口譯人員

I've been to have interpreters for meetings, they always can't put all the subtleties of words and the multi-level expression of the meaning out. Is not an interpreter

不懂，只是因?yàn)橐恍〇|西在翻譯中流失了。我曾當(dāng)過口譯員。在很多情況下，要了解人家的意思，你必須首

Do not know, just because something lost in translation. I worked as an interpreter. In many cases, the need to appreciate the meaning, you must

先有那些文化“背景故事”來幫助你了解意思。不知道那些背景，真正的交流是很困難的-有時(shí)甚至是不可能

Let's have those "background story" to help you understand the meaning of culture. I don't know the background, real communication is difficult-and sometimes impossible

的。當(dāng)然，在你學(xué)一種新語言時(shí)你會(huì)學(xué)到這些故事，但是當(dāng)你真正給人家做翻譯時(shí)，你不可能把一個(gè)詞背后

The. Of course, when you learn a new language you will learn how these stories, but when you actually get someone to do the translation, you can't take back a word

的故事全部講出來。

All of the stories.

因此，要在國家之間，公司之間，跨文化之間和講不同語言的人們之間把事情做成，即使別人已經(jīng)能說你的

So, to make things between countries, between companies, across cultures, and between people who speak different languages, even if someone else is already able to say what you're doing.

語言，掌握別人的語言仍然是很重要的--甚至決定性的。因?yàn)橹挥心菢幽悴拍苷嬲靼讋e人為什么要那么

Language, the language is still very important to master the others--even decisive. Because only then can you truly understand why people want to do that

說。

say

向神化挑戰(zhàn)

Challenge to deification

學(xué)習(xí)一門新語言不一定要那么難。你能在很短的時(shí)間內(nèi)做到，達(dá)到一個(gè)比你想像的還要高的水平。我知道這

Learning a new language doesn't have to be that hard. Can you do in a very short period of time, to reach a higher level than you think. I know this is

是真的，因?yàn)槲易龅搅恕Ｎ乙部匆娖渌俗龅搅?。而且我沒有“天賦”，至少不會(huì)比一般人的天賦多。當(dāng)人們

It's true, because I did it. And I saw others do it. And I don't have "talent", at least not more than the average person. When people

提出，我會(huì)說一種以上的語言是因?yàn)椋瑥哪撤N程度上說，我有一些特殊的天賦時(shí)，我會(huì)感到惱火。實(shí)際上，

Suggested that I speak more than one language is because, to some extent, when I have some special gift, I would feel annoyed. Actually,

我可能比很多同齡人語言天賦少。

I may have less language talent than many of my peers.

我在新西蘭長大的時(shí)候，我的英語只是一般。我對(duì)書面文字的理解比較慢，而且我學(xué)語法有些困難。實(shí)際

When I grew up in New Zealand, my English is general. I'm slower on the understanding of the written word, and I learn syntax is a little difficult. Actual

上，我討厭---絕對(duì)討厭---語法課。它有什么意義?

And I hate--hate---grammar lesson. What's the point of it?

在別的方面我也好不到哪去。做閱讀理解時(shí)我總是最后一個(gè)完成。我更喜歡理科，因?yàn)槟切枰橄蠛透拍钚?/p>

In other ways, I where to go or not. I always the last one to be completed when doing the reading comprehension. I like science, because it needs abstract and conceptual

思維。

Thinking.

我的外語也不怎么樣。高中學(xué)法語時(shí)，我在班里倒數(shù)的三分之一中。好像我就是學(xué)不好。外語沒意義。很無

My foreign language is not very good either. When I was studying French in high school, I was in the middle of the class, 1/3. It's like I can't learn. Foreign languages have no meaning. Very little

聊。而且我怎么都不能正確地發(fā)音。那時(shí)我相信，我永遠(yuǎn)也學(xué)不好語言。我學(xué)語言的興趣也越來越低。

Talk. And I can't even pronounce it correctly. I believed then that I would never learn the language. My interest in learning languages is getting lower and lower.

然后，有件事改變了我的人生。我學(xué)會(huì)了法語！我發(fā)現(xiàn)我能與法國人交談并且談得很開心。

Then, there's one thing changed my life. I learned French! I feel that I can talk to and have a great time talking with the French.

我15歲的時(shí)候，一個(gè)從塔希提島（南太平洋的一塊法屬殖民地）來的交換生來我家住了幾星期。幾個(gè)月后，

When I was 15 years old, an exchange from Tahiti (a French colony in the South Pacific) had been my home for a few weeks. A few months later,

我又到塔希提島呆了總共六個(gè)星期。那時(shí)，我學(xué)會(huì)了說流利的法語。在需要的時(shí)候我能夠跟任何人交流。語

I went to Tahiti to spend a total of six weeks. At that time, I learned to speak fluent French. When I was able to communicate with anyone in need. Language

言對(duì)我來說不再神秘。當(dāng)然，也有我不知道的詞語，但是我總能明白它們的意思。不管怎樣，即便是今天，

Words are no longer mysterious to me. Of course, there are words I don't know, but I always know what they mean. Anyway, even today,

我仍然有不認(rèn)識(shí)的英語單詞。我最近就遇到了一個(gè)---semiotics.那是什么意思？我第一天碰到它的時(shí)候還真

I still have some English words I don't know. I have recently met a -- semiotics. What does that mean? The first day I met it, it was true.

不知道。

I have no idea

有人告訴我它是一種有關(guān)人們?nèi)绾握J(rèn)知和涉及符號(hào)的科學(xué)。但我仍然不能完全明了它的意思。那沒關(guān)系。就

I was told that it is a kind of science on how we perceive and relate to symbols. But I still can not fully understand what it meant. That's all right. Just

像你一樣，我仍然能夠用英語有效地交流。不知道某些單詞的意思并不會(huì)阻礙。

Like you, I will still be able to communicate effectively in English. I don't know the meaning of certain words and will not hinder.

回到法語。重要的是在僅僅幾個(gè)星期里我就掌握了法語的結(jié)構(gòu)和功能。我的口音近乎完美。而且我達(dá)到了這

Back to French. It is important that in just a few weeks I have mastered the structure and function of French. My accent is almost perfect. And I've reached this.

樣的境界，我的法語自然的進(jìn)步，就如同我學(xué)母語時(shí)一樣。最好的是我很順利地修完高中法語課，沒費(fèi)任何

-Like state, my French progress of nature, just as the same as when I learn their mother tongue. The best part is, I'm successfully completed high school French class, without any

額外的努力。

The extra effort.

故事可能就那樣結(jié)束了，但是沒有。如果真的結(jié)束了，我現(xiàn)在就不會(huì)在這寫這本書。結(jié)果后來我大學(xué)主修心

The end of the story may be like that, but no. If it's really over, I wouldn't be here to write this book. The results of later I majored in heart

理學(xué)。我感興趣的一個(gè)話題是心理語言學(xué)。當(dāng)時(shí)在語言學(xué)習(xí)領(lǐng)域盛行的一個(gè)很有影響力的理論認(rèn)為，只有小

Neo-Confucianism. I am interested in a topic is psycholinguistics. At that time, the prevalence in the field of language learning is a very influential theory is that only a small

孩子才能真正學(xué)好第二語言。根據(jù)該理論，當(dāng)一個(gè)人進(jìn)入成年時(shí)，他就失去了輕松快速地學(xué)習(xí)一種新語言的

Kids can really learn the language. According to this theory, when a man entering adulthood, he will lose easily and quickly learn a new language

能力。

Ability.

這個(gè)理論很容易被接受，因?yàn)槲覀兩磉吙吹竭@樣的證據(jù)--所有那些成年人在掙扎著，或是不能有效地學(xué)習(xí)一

This theory is easy to be accepted, because we see evidence of this--all the adults in the struggle, or cannot effectively learn a

門外語。讓人接受這個(gè)理論幾乎是太容易了。

A foreign language. It is almost too easy to accept the theory.

盡管事實(shí)上所有人都似乎相信這個(gè)理論，我卻不能接受它。我不相信它，一部分原因是我不想相信它。它感

Despite the fact that everyone seems to believe that this theory, but I can't accept it. I do not believe it, part of the reason is that I don't want to believe it. The sense of it

覺那么有局限性。難道說，因?yàn)槲倚r(shí)候沒有學(xué)其他語種，我現(xiàn)在就被禁止和世界上大部分人溝通嗎?不

There's a limit to that. Is it because I didn't learn any other language when I was a child, and I am now banned from communicating with most people in the world? No.

可能的！這是我拒絕接受的。

Possible! This is my refusal to accept.

我心中有個(gè)聲音告訴我，“如果你的學(xué)習(xí)方法是正確的，你能在任何時(shí)候?qū)W好任何外語。年齡不是障礙。”我

A voice in my heart told me, "if you learn the right way, you can learn any foreign language at any time." Age is not an obstacle. "I...

甚至大膽地把這個(gè)觀點(diǎn)寫進(jìn)了我的學(xué)期論文里。閱卷的教授一定是同意了我的觀點(diǎn)，因?yàn)槲翼樌ㄟ^了。也

I even ventured to put this point into my term paper. The professor must have agreed to my point of view, because I passed it. Also

許他只是獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)我臉皮厚。

He's just giving me a reward.

兩年后，我有了在我身上親自檢驗(yàn)這個(gè)理論的機(jī)會(huì)，那時(shí)我22歲，得到了到中國學(xué)習(xí)兩年的獎(jiǎng)學(xué)金。那是在

Two years later, I had the opportunity to test the theory on my own, when I was 22, and I was given a scholarship to study in China for two years. It was in the

1981年，中國剛剛對(duì)外開放。我在大二學(xué)過幾小時(shí)的中文，得到一個(gè)結(jié)果----我勉強(qiáng)通過了考試。并且我一

In 1981, China was just opening up to the outside world. I learned Chinese for a few hours in the sophomore year, and got a result -- I managed to pass the exam. And I...

點(diǎn)也不喜歡上這個(gè)課。

I don't like this class at all.

當(dāng)時(shí)的老師更擅長“催眠”，而不是把學(xué)生的語言學(xué)習(xí)能力激發(fā)出來。你知道，他是那種用溫柔的幾乎單調(diào)的

At that time, teachers are better at "hypnosis", rather than inspired language learning ability of students. You know, he is the kind of gentle, almost monotonous

聲音講課的老師。就在他沒完沒了的嘮叨中，我不由自主地漂到別處去了。那是一個(gè)舒適，溫暖，黑暗的地

The voice of the teacher lecturing. In his incessant nagging in, and I found myself drifting somewhere else. It was a comfortable, warm, dark underground

方，你知道僅僅是出于禮貌，你應(yīng)該睜著眼睛。但是眼皮可能感覺很沉，很粘，而且額頭的肌肉再也牽不住

Party, you know, just to be polite, you should have your eyes open. But the eyelids may feel very heavy, viscous, and the forehead muscles are no longer lead

它們了---呼，呼，呼…！

They--hoo, hoo, hoo...!

突然，朦朧中，你聽到有人叫你的名字。一個(gè)問題。你甚至都不明白是什么問題.…。

Suddenly, in the dim light, did you hear someone calling your name. One more question. You don't even understand what the problem is...

你可想而知，我沒學(xué)會(huì)什么。教授也從沒意識(shí)到學(xué)生犯困和教室的溫度沒多大關(guān)系。我到中國時(shí)，一句中文

As you can imagine, I didn't learn anything. The professor never sleepy to realize that the students and the classroom temperature did not matter much. When I went to China, a word of Chinese

也不會(huì)說。一片空白。

I wouldn't say. A blank.

1981年9月我來到了北京語言學(xué)院.還有兩個(gè)星期才開課，所以我手頭有點(diǎn)時(shí)間。干什么呢？恩，有一點(diǎn)是肯

In September 1981, I came to the Beijing language Institute. It was two weeks before I started, so I had some time. What are you doing? Well, one thing is Ken.

定的，我不喜歡呆在聽不懂周圍人說話，不能跟當(dāng)?shù)厝私涣魃踔炼疾徽J(rèn)識(shí)簡單的標(biāo)志和警告的這樣一種環(huán)境

This, I don't like to stay in the Don't understand the people around you talk, can't talk to the locals don't even know such an environment the simple signs and warnings

我后來到過其他一些國家，我沒學(xué)過他們的語言，我有同樣的感受。我就是不喜歡呆在一個(gè)語言不通的地

I came over after a number of other countries, I haven't learned their language, I feel the same way. I just don't like to stay in the land of a language barrier

方。能聽懂，能和別人交流，能知道周圍發(fā)生著什么才更有意思。

Square. Can you understand and can communicate with others, to know what is happening around is more interesting.

來北京的第二天，我結(jié)識(shí)了我的第一個(gè)朋友。他是一個(gè)瘦小結(jié)實(shí)的泰國小伙子。他叫·Mao'，在中文和泰國

The day after I came to Beijing, I met my first friend. He is a small, sturdy Thai boy. His name is Mao', in Chinese and Thai

語里，是指貓。聽起來像貓叫。他教會(huì)我第一個(gè)詞—zenme yang---怎么樣？然后我離開了。在接下來的兩

In the language, it means the cat. It sounds like a cat. He taught me the first word-zenme yang-how about it? And then I left. In the next two

天，我跟幾乎遇到的每一個(gè)人說這三個(gè)字。大家都回答我他們感覺怎么樣，坦白地說，我還不明白他們說的

Day, I talked to almost every person that I meet that these three words. You answer me, how does it feel to them, to be honest, I still don't understand what they say

是什么。但是我聽到這些詞并開始注意模式。從他們的面部表情和肢體語言中，我能猜出一些意思。

What is it. But I heard these words and began to notice that the pattern. From their facial expressions and body language, I can guess by some means.

很快我就能跟人們搭話，他們會(huì)告訴我一些東西的名字，還有一些重要的有用的詞，比如“請(qǐng)”和“謝謝”。一個(gè)

Soon I'll be able to talk with people, they'd tell me the name of some things, there are a number of important and useful words, such as "Please" and "Thank you". A

星期后，我就能進(jìn)行簡單的對(duì)話了。這時(shí)，我心里想：“太棒了…我有進(jìn)步了?！蔽乙呀?jīng)能識(shí)別一些標(biāo)志---注

I'll be able to have a simple conversation after a week. At this moment, I thought to myself, "that's great. I've made progress. "I've been able to identify some of the sign

意，男，女（當(dāng)你經(jīng)常腹瀉時(shí)能區(qū)分這兩個(gè)字是很重要的）。并且我能買東西，保證基本生活。

Meaning, male, female (it is important to distinguish between the two words when you often have diarrhea). And I can buy things to ensure a basic life.

在那的第10天，一個(gè)剛認(rèn)識(shí)的巴勒斯坦朋友帶著我和兩個(gè)新西蘭學(xué)生去了北戴河，那是北京東北邊的一處海

On the 10 day there, a Palestinian friend who had just met took me and two New Zealand students to Beidaihe, a sea on the northeast side of Beijing.

邊旅游勝地。我們坐火車去，花了一兩天輕松了一下，然后得返回北京參加分班測試

A tourist attraction. We went by train, took a day or two to relax, and then returned to Beijing to take part in the test.

那時(shí)，中國的公共交通很有限---想旅游的人數(shù)遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)超過了交通運(yùn)力。當(dāng)然，我們買票的時(shí)候太晚了。要等三

At that time, China's public transport is very limited--the number of tourists is far more than the traffic capacity. Of course, it's too late when we bought the ticket. Have to wait three

四天才能買到座位。

Four days to get a seat.

只能做一件事了。不管怎樣，我們上了車，付了車票錢和因?yàn)闊o票上車的罰款，然后就在餐車上安頓下來，

Can only do one thing. Anyhow, we got in the car, pay a fine, the ticket money and because the bus without a ticket and then settle down on the truck,

要六小時(shí)的過夜旅程才能到達(dá)北京?；疖囬_出后十分鐘，一個(gè)戴著官帽，穿白色夾克的男子走近了我。我后

It takes six hours of the night to get to Beijing. Ten minutes after the train was out, a man in a hat and a white jacket came up to me. After I...

來才發(fā)現(xiàn)他是鐵路上的保安。他坐下來，笑了笑，然后開始聊天.

Come to find out he's on the railway security. He sat down, smile, and then started talking.

我們六小時(shí)就一直這樣.僅僅是用中文交談。整個(gè)晚上。這是我經(jīng)歷的很多個(gè)學(xué)習(xí)語言的不眠之夜中的一個(gè).

We've been doing this for six hours. Just talking in Chinese. All night. This is one of the many sleepless nights I've been learning languages.

他一個(gè)英語單詞也不認(rèn)識(shí)。起初，我也不知道他說什么。但是很明顯，他沒什么重要的事要做，我倆也沒地

He doesn't know an English word. At first, I didn't know what he said. But obviously, he didn't have much to do, and neither did we.

方可去，于是我們就這樣繼續(xù)著。

Before they go, so we went on like that.

他畫畫，寫中文漢字給我看，還用手比劃。隨著我們的交談，我漸漸感覺到我明白了他的意思。我的筆記本

He paints, writes Chinese characters to me, and gestures with his hands. As we talked, I began to feel that I understood what he meant. My notebook.

布滿了潦草的字跡和一些圖畫。那個(gè)晚上，我很可能接觸了上千個(gè)新單詞，大部分是漢語的常用詞。我不能

Full of scribbled handwriting and some of the pictures. That night, I would probably contact a thousand new words, most of the Chinese words. I can't

把所有的都搞明白，但是我能感覺到出現(xiàn)的模式。一個(gè)很重要的觀念。感知模式。

Make all of it clear, but I can feel the pattern of the emergence. A very important idea. The perception pattern.

回到北京幾天后，就開始測試了。我上的那所學(xué)校要求每個(gè)人參加一個(gè)口試和筆試來檢驗(yàn)我們的中文理解能

Come back to Beijing a few days later, they began the test. I went to that school requires everyone to participate in an oral and a written examination to test our understanding of Chinese energy

力。輪到我時(shí)，測試人員有些不知所措了。我已經(jīng)能夠跟他們進(jìn)行簡單對(duì)話。但是，我的中文閱讀水平仍然

Force. When it was my turn, some of the testers at a loss. I have been able to carry on simple conversations with them. But, my level of Chinese reading

限于幾十個(gè)漢字。他們想不明白，但不得不把我安排到中級(jí)班而不是初級(jí)班。很明顯我在語言學(xué)習(xí)的道路上

Limited to several ten characters. They don't get it, but had to put me on the middle class rather than a beginner's class. Apparently I was on the path to language learning

穩(wěn)步前進(jìn)著。

With the steady progress.

在火車旅途結(jié)束時(shí)，我的中文決不能算是流利了。但這是個(gè)轉(zhuǎn)折點(diǎn)。對(duì)我來說，從那天晚上起，學(xué)中文變得

At the end of the journey in the train, I must not be fluent in Chinese. But it was a turning point. For me, since that night, learning Chinese has become

容易和有趣起來。當(dāng)然，我必須努力。努力是必要的。但學(xué)習(xí)總是令人愉快的。隨著時(shí)間的推移，我學(xué)得越

Easy and fun. Of course, I have to work hard. Hard work is necessary. But learning is always pleasant. As time went on, the more I learned

來越快。

The faster you come.

兩個(gè)月后，我就能用中文很好地交流，和中國朋友進(jìn)行很長（常常是哲學(xué)方面的）的對(duì)話，在中國輕松自如

After two months, I'll be able to Chinese, good communication, and a long (usually friends of China the dialogue of philosophy), ease in China

地生活。我已經(jīng)能夠簡單地閱讀和寫作。截止到我在中國呆了6個(gè)月的時(shí)候，我能給認(rèn)識(shí)的朋友用中文寫

To live. I have been able to simply reading and writing. As I have been in China for 6 months, I can give friends in Chinese

信，并處理些公務(wù)。我甚至寫信給高級(jí)政府官員，爭取去北京體院學(xué)習(xí)中國武術(shù)（最終成功了）。

And belief, and taking care of some business. I even wrote to senior government officials, for the Beijing Institute of physical education learning Chinese martial arts (ultimately successful).

今天，我說著流利的普通話和粵語，并在很多的組織咨詢工作中用這兩種語言作為互動(dòng)的媒介。我也接觸過

Today, I speak fluent Mandarin and Cantonese and use both languages as a medium of interaction in many of the organization's consulting work. I've been in touch.

一些其他的亞洲語言。有一次去日本旅行兩個(gè)星期，在一些朋友的幫助下我花了兩天掌握了基本用語，然后

Some other Asian language. I had a trip to Japan for two weeks, and with the help of some friends, I spent two days mastering the basic language, and then I went to Japan.

只用日語我就能周游日本了。兩周后，在街上、商店中或者人們隨意跟我說的話，我能聽懂百分之六十。

Only Japanese I could travel around Japan. Two weeks later, on the street, in a store or if people feel free to tell me, I can understand 60%.