As soon as people find out about that,

每個人聽到這個時

what I'm most often asked --

通常都會來問我

other than for my phone number --

不是問我的電話號碼

is: "How did you do it?

而是 「你是怎麼做到的？」

How did you go about learning all these different languages?"

你是怎麼學會這些不同的語言？

Well, today I'm going to share with you some answers.

今天呢 我就要來分享你們想知道的答案

So my phone number is 212...

我的電話號碼是212...

(Laughter)

(觀眾笑聲)

I'm just kidding.

開個玩笑

See, I was raised as a polyglot.

我被認為是會說多國語言的人

And by the time I turned 18,

在我都還沒滿18歲之前

I could speak already four different languages.

我就已經會說四種語言了

And then for the subsequent three years,

隔了三年之後

I learned three additional languages.

我又學會了三個新的語言

It's about those 3 years that I want to talk about.

我現在就是要來分享那三年的學習

Because my language acquisition process

原因在於我吸收語言的過程

was very different from that of my peers,

和我的同儕學習的方式非常的不同

in that it was never of these stressful,

我的學習方式並不是那種很有壓力的

strenuous, difficult, seemingly impossible tasks,

絕不是苦讀 艱難 或者像在完成不可能的任務

but rather something enjoyable, fun, exciting.

反而是非常樂在其中 有趣 又興奮的

I loved it, every single moment of it.

我很享受學習的每分每秒

And I want to share with you

我想要跟你們分享

why, what was it that made it so special.

那個原因 是什麼樣特別的方式

See, I did have a head start,

我確實是有贏在起跑點

in that I did have these four languages that I spoke ahead of time.

我前面就已經有了會說四種語言的優勢

But there were also these 5 techniques,

不過還是跟這五個技巧有關係

5 skills if you will, that I use

這五個技巧如果你知道了

that made the language learning process so much easier.

我就是使用他們 讓我語言學習的過程變得簡單許多

And it's about those 5 techniques

重點就在於這五個技巧

that I want to talk about.

想在這邊跟你們分享

So let's dig right in.

那就讓我們趕快進入重點

And for the first one,

至於第一點

the first thing that we've got to do

我們首先要做到的

is to take a very deep breath.

就是深呼吸

And relax.

然後放鬆

And the reason for this is because our entire lives,

其中的原因就在於 在我們的生活中

we're taught how to do things right.

我們被教導要怎麼把事情做對

From the moment we were born we're taught

從出身那一刻起 就是一直是如此

what things we should do, things we shouldn't do,

哪些事情我們該做 哪些事情我們不該做

and how to do things properly.

以及如何正確的去做事

Well, when it comes to language learning,

不過 當談到語言學習時

the golden rule of language learning,

語言學習的黃金原則

the most important thing,

最重要的東西

is to get things wrong,

就是要學會做錯

to make mistakes,

懂得犯錯

and that is the first rule.

而這就是第一個技能

Let me explain to you why.

容我來解釋一下

See, when we've known languages,

當我們學會了語言之後

we know a whole collection of sounds

我們便知道聲音的聚集

and a whole collection of structures,

而整個聚集的結構

which combined make what I like to call

這種結合方式讓我想要稱之為

-- and for the purpose of this presentation --

-- 這也是這個演講的目的

our "'language database."

我們的「語言資料庫」

And our language database will contain

我們語言的資料庫包含著

all the sounds and structures that we know.

所有我們學過的聲音以及結構

However, there is a whole family of sounds and structures

但是 有還是很多的音群和架構

that are beyond our database.

是超出了我們的語言資料庫的範圍

And for us to be able to embark on those and to be able to explore those,

而我們該如何著手來探索這些

there is nothing within our database,

不在我們語言資料庫當中的東西

nothing within our knowledge

不在我們的知識範圍內

that will tell us when we're getting the structures right,

也就是當我們想要把聲音的結構弄對的時候

nothing to tell us when that sound is precise.

沒有東西能告訴我們怎樣裁示正確的讀音

Let's say we're going to explore this one specific sound.

就讓我們來探索怎麼樣發特定的音

There is nothing in our database.

用我們資料庫裡面沒有的東西

When we say it, we could say it perfectly,

當我們說出口的時候 也許我們的讀音其實完全是正確的

but in our minds, it will sound like a mistake.

但我們內心會告訴我們那個音是錯的

So you know that queasy feeling, that we feel that insecure thing,

就是那種令人反胃的感覺 讓我們害怕犯錯而沒有安全感

when we feel like we're making or doing something wrong?

當我們感覺到 會不會這次又犯錯了?

That is the trigger that you need to look for.

這就是你必須注意的關鍵

Because that is the signal that tells you that you're going beyond your database

因為這就是一個警訊 告訴你說你現在要發的音已經超出你的資料庫了

and that you're allowing yourself to explore the realm of the new language.

然後你必須要從新的語言中尋找

Let me show you how this works in practice.

現在我要讓你看看這整個實際過程

So let's say, we're going to go and learn the word "door" in Spanish.

如果說我們要來學西班牙文的"door"

So, the word "door" in Spanish is "Puerta."

這個單字在西文中是"Puerta"

So, for "Puerta" we've got a few sounds that exist in English.

我們會從英文裡面現有的聲音來發"Puerta"

So, the "Pu," "e," and "ta."

所以就會唸作 "P"跟"e"再加上"ta"

However, when it comes to the "r,"

但是 現在"r"出現了

that sound is not in our database.

這個聲音並不在我們的資料庫當中

The "RR."

"RR"

The rolled "r" does not exist in the English sound database.

這種卷舌的"r"並不存在英文的聲音資料庫裡

And it's a little bit on the outside.

而且超乎了我們所能及的範圍

So, if we allowed ourselves

不過 如果我們能讓自己

to bridge through our database, and to really break through

在資料庫中建立連結 並做好突破的準備

and to make the mistake,

然後嘗試犯錯

we could make sounds like the "RR."

我們就可以發出"RR"這個聲音

But instead, what sometimes happens

但相反的 有時候會發生一種狀況

is that we get the closest relative of it that is within the database,

其實這個聲音是可以在資料庫中找到的

and that is the "ah-er" sound.

而那個音就是"ah-er"

(Laughter)

(觀眾笑聲)

And that "ah-er" sound

而這個"ah-er"的聲音

makes something that sounds like "pue-er-rta,"

可以發出"pue-er-rta"的聲音

which doesn't mean a thing in Spanish,

在西班牙語中並不代表任何意義

and actually doesn't sound too charming.

老實說這聲音聽起來並不好聽

And it doesn't tell you too much.

也無法提供給你太多東西

So, for the first technique,

所以第一個方法就是

allow yourself to make that mistake,

容許自己犯錯

so that sounds like "Puerta" can come out.

就能發出"Puerta"這個聲音

And now let's go to the second one.

現在看到第二個

For the second one,

第二個字

I'm going to need some of your collaboration.

我需要你們的合作

We're going to read these four beautiful words.

我們要來讀讀看這四個美妙的字

And on the count of three.

在我數到三個時候

So let's start with the first one, on the count of three: one, two, three.

那現在就來試試看 在我數到三個時候 一、二、三

(Audience) Mao. (Sid) "Mao," perfect.

(觀眾) Mao (演講者) Mao 完美

The second one: one, two, three. (Audience:) Coco.

那現在第二個 一、二、三 (觀眾) Coco

(Sid) Perfect. Third one. One, two, three.

(演講者) 完美 第三個 一、二、三

(Audience) Cocao. (Sid) Perfect.

(觀眾) Cocao (演講者) 完美

And the fourth one. One, two, three.

現在第四個 一、二、三

(Silence)

(沉默)

Oh.

喔~

Let me show you what happened when we did this.

讓我來說明一下剛剛在唸的時候發生了什麼事

We get these four words

我們看到這四個字

and we put them through a sort of American English filter.

我們就用英文來過濾這些字

And we get something looks kind of like this.

然後我們就找相似的東西

Which...And I'll tell you the results of that.

那我來告訴你們結果如何

So for the first one "Mão,"

第一個字"Mão"

which means "hand" in Portuguese,

在葡萄牙語中是"hand"的意思

we put it through the filter, we get "Mao."

我們把它過濾之後 得到"Mao"

(Laughter)

(觀眾笑聲)

For the second one we get "coco,"

而第二個字我們得到"Coco"

which is "coconut" in Portuguese,

在葡萄牙與中是"Coconut"的意思

or "cocô," which means "poop."

或"cocô 是"poop"的意思

We put it through the filter, we get a warm cup of cocoa.

我們把它過濾之後 就得到了一杯溫熱的可可

(Laughter)

(觀眾笑聲)

And for the fourth one,

至於第四個

we have "huo,"

意思是"huo"

which means "fire" in Chinese.

也就是中文裡面的"fire"

And we get --

我們可以看到

if you're feeling really creative, maybe a dude doing karate...

如果說你非常有創意 也許會看到一個人在做空手道

(Laughter)

(觀眾笑聲)

But anyway,

不過總之

These are...They don't tell you much about how these things are pronounced.

這些字並沒有提供太多讓你能夠發音的訊息

And if you think it's only one way,

如果你覺得只有一種途徑

only if you're going from English to a different language,

就只有從英文到另外一個語言

think about non-native speakers.

想想非母語人士

And try to explain to someone

試著要解釋給他們聽

that this [though] is pronounced "though,"

像是though讀做"though"

and that this [thought] is pronounced "thought."

而thought就唸做"thought"

And even though they look almost identical,

他們看起來非常的相像

they have nothing to do with one another.

但事實上兩者卻毫無關係

Or try to explain to them that

或者也可以說

this [enough] is "enough"

enough讀做"enough"

and this [enuf] is just simply wrong.

而這個enuf很明白就是錯的

See, there is nothing useful about using that foreign alphabet,

所以說 把外語的字母系統

when you're trying to learn a language.

用在語言學習上 是不實用的

Why? Because it will give you wrong signals.

為什麼? 因為他會給你錯誤的訊息

So what is the second technique?

那麼第二個方法是什麼呢?

Scrap it.

就是丟棄

Scrap the foreign alphabet.

丟棄外國語言的字母系統

Let me give you an alternative of how you can go about this.

我來告訴你一個如何不用外語的字母系統的方法

This is a Brazilian currency,

這個是巴西的錢幣

and it spelled like this.

拼法是這樣

So on the count of three, can we all say the name of the currency. 1, 2, 3.

那當我喊到三個時候 請大家把硬幣用巴西語說出來 一 二 三

(Audience) Real.

(觀眾) Real

(Sid) We have some people who know the spelling.

(演講者) 有些人知道他怎麼拼

Yeah, "re-al," for the most part.

就是 "re-al"

And as useful as this might seem, it doesn't tell you a single thing.

而且乍看之下看起來很好用 其實它完全沒有告訴你任何東西

And when you're speaking Portuguese, "re-al" means nothing.

如果你要用葡牙牙語說"re-al" 這並不太表任何意思

Let me give you an alternative.

讓我來告訴你該怎麼辦

See, in Portuguese, the way that you say "real" is "heou."

在葡萄牙文中 "real"就讀作"heou"

So let me teach you how to say it.

讓我來教你該怎麼說

So on the count of three, let's say "he."

那數到三的時候一起說 "he"

So it's "hey" without the "y" sound.

是"hey"然後"y"的音不發

So, one, two, three -- "he."

來 一二三 "he"

(Audience) HE. (Sid) Perfect.

(觀眾) HE (演講者) 完美

And now let's say "ou."

那現在說 "ou"

It's like "ouch", but without the "ch" sound,

就像"ouch"然後不要發"ch"的音

so it's "ou." One, two, three,

來 "ou" 一 二 三

(Audience) OU. (Sid) Perfect.

(觀眾) OU (演講者) 完美

So, "HE."

來 "HE"

(Audience) HE.

(觀眾) HE

(Sid) "OU."

(演講者) OU

(Audience:) OU.

(觀眾) OU

(Sid) "HE." (Audience:) HE.

(演講者) HE (觀眾) HE

(Sid) "OU." (Audience:) OU.

(演講者) OU (觀眾) OU

(Sid) "HE-OU," HEOU.

(演講者) HE-OU "HEOU"

(Audience) HE-OU. (Sid) Perfect.

(觀眾) HE-OU (演講者) 完美

Now you all sound like passionate Brazilian capitalists.

現在你們的口氣就像熱情的巴西資本主義家

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

So why would we go and use something that looks like this,

那為什麼我們要做出這樣的事情

that looks "real"

像是"real"

when instead you can use something

當你可以用某個東西

that looks like this and gives you so much more information

能提供給你更多的訊息

about how to say something in a foreign language.

告訴你怎麼用外語說出某些東西

And that puts us in a really good spot

我們已經把自己擺在最好的位子了

because at this point we allowed ourselves

因為我們在這時候允許了自己

to break through our database and to make mistakes,

去突破自己的資料庫 然後去犯錯

to go into that uncharted territory of a new language.

踏入這個新語言的未知領域

And then, we figured out how to take notations

突破了 我們就能學到掌握意思的方法

in a way that the information is actually meaningful.

讓我們能得到資訊中的真正意涵

But then how can we test it?

但是那我們要怎麼測試到底正不正確？

And that's where technique number 3 comes in.

這就是第三個方法要出現了

Technique number 3 is about finding a stickler.

第三個方法就是找到一個挑剔的人

So finding someone who's detail-oriented

找一個喜歡鑽牛角尖人

and won't let you get away with the mistakes.

而且他不允許你犯錯

And more than finding someone who is really that person,

而比起找到那個挑剔的人

the guru for the language,

所謂的語言達人 更為重要的是

it's more about establishing the right sort of relationship.

建立起一個好的關係

Relationship with someone,

和語言達人的關係

where they will correct you. They'll feel comfortable correcting you

讓他們可以糾正你 讓他們可以很自在的指正你

and making sure that you're getting to that spot you wanted in a language.

然後讓你學會更正確的使用新的語言

But at the same time,

而在同一時間

someone who will encourage you

他們可以鼓勵你

to get things wrong and to make those mistakes in the first place.

讓你勇於在第一次嘗試時去犯錯

And sticklers could be your teacher,

這些挑剔的人可以是你的老師

it could be your tutor, it could be your friend,

可以是你的家教 可以是你的朋友

it could be someone on Skype or Craigslist; it doesn't matter.

可以是透過通訊網路認識的人 都沒有關係

You can find sticklers all over the place,

在所有地方你都能找到這樣挑剔的人

and with technology, it becomes a lot easier find them.

而且加上科技發達 要找到他們可以說更為容易

And then it's time to practice.

接著就是需要練習

And for practicing, we've got the fourth technique.

怎麼樣練習 我們要學會第四項技能

See, I always thought I had this thing

我一直覺得這一件事情

that was a little bit of "Sid craziness" that I did,

有一點點 「錫德發狂」

and then I realized how useful it was.

做了以後我才發現這麼的好用

I always did what I like to call "Shower Conversations."

我常常做這件事情 我把它成為「澡間對話」

And shower conversations are exactly what they sound like.

澡間對話其實就如其名

When I was learning a new language,

當我學一個新語言時

I would stay in the shower for a few minutes.

我會在洗澡時待個幾分鐘

And I would remember having all these discussions;

我還記得一些討論的東西

I remember when I was learning Chinese,

在我學中文的時候

and I would haggle and try to get two yuan more,

我會討價還價多爭兩文錢

to get that wonderful dumpling, and getting the discount;

來買好吃的水餃 然後試著殺價

or I would go to Roma

或是 我會到羅馬去

and I'd ask for directions to the best "piazza."

然後問別人最好的市集該怎麼走

It was amazing.

真是非常棒

And the beautiful thing about the shower conversation

其中澡間對話最棒的是

is that it allows you to find wherever you have a gap in your knowledge,

你可以發現自己在使用語言時缺乏哪些知識

because you're having a conversation on both ends.

因為你同時扮演著一個對話中的兩個人

For example, it's easy to ask for directions, how about receiving them?

舉例來說 問路很簡單 但要怎麼要聽得懂別人的指示

Or even better, giving directions.

更好的話 試著講出方向

Well, the shower conversation forces you to have both side of the conversation.

澡間對話可以讓你一人分飾兩角

And you don't need to have them in the shower.

而且這不只限於洗澡時

The wonderful thing about as well as is that you can have them anywhere.

最棒的是我們在任何一個地方都可以這麼做

So you can have them in the shower, in your apartment,

你可以在洗澡的地方 自己的公寓

walking down in the streets, in the subway,

走在大街上 地下鐵裡

and seriously, if you're in the subway,

而且講真的 如果你搭地鐵

speaking to yourself in a foreign language in New York,

在紐約地鐵對自己說外語

you'll fit right in.

那你可以適應得很好

You're fine.

絕對沒問題