It's great to have you back with us on Podcast and Chill, here on the Learn English Podcast channel.

很高興您能回到我們的播客與放鬆節目，這裡是學習英語播客頻道。

I'm Leo, your cheerful host, and with me is Gwen, who always keeps the conversation interesting. Hi, everyone.

我是李奧，你們愉快的主人，和我在一起的是格溫，她總能讓談話變得有趣。大家好

Hope you're all doing well today.

希望你們今天一切順利。

Gwen, I've been on social media a lot lately.

格溫，我最近經常上社交媒體。

What have you noticed? I've noticed that young people today are really good with languages.

您注意到了什麼？我注意到，現在的年輕人非常擅長語言。

Some can speak two, three, even five languages.

有些人會說兩種、三種甚至五種語言。

That's amazing, Leo. But you know, it's becoming more common in today's connected world. Yeah, it's impressive how important languages are in connecting people around the world.

太神奇了 Leo但你知道，在當今這個互聯的世界裡，這已經變得越來越普遍了。是啊，語言在連接世界各地的人們方面的重要性令人印象深刻。

And that's what we'll be talking about today.

這就是我們今天要討論的話題。

How important is language? That's right.

語言有多重要？沒錯，就是語言。

We'll cover how language helps with communication, but also how it shapes culture, education, and career opportunities.

我們將介紹語言如何幫助溝通，以及語言如何影響文化、教育和職業機會。

So get comfortable, and let's jump into the fascinating world of languages.

是以，請坐好，讓我們一起進入迷人的語言世界。

And don't forget, we've got a free PDF with today's key points, so check the description below.

別忘了，我們有一份免費的 PDF 文件，其中包含今天的要點，請查看下面的說明。

Make sure to click File, make a copy, so you can take notes and make it your own. Alright, Gwen, let's talk about how important language really is. Yes, Leo, language is the key to communication.

確保點擊 "文件"，複製一份，這樣你就可以做筆記，把它變成你自己的。好了，格溫，讓我們來談談語言到底有多重要。是的，里奧，語言是溝通的關鍵。

It's how we share ideas, feelings, and information with each other. That's right.

它是我們彼此分享想法、感受和資訊的方式。沒錯，就是這樣。

Without language, we wouldn't be able to understand each other.

沒有語言，我們就無法相互理解。

Imagine trying to explain something important without words. And it's not just about words, Leo.

試想一下，在沒有語言的情況下解釋一件重要的事情。這不僅僅是語言的問題，利奧。

Language also shapes how we think and see the world. Yes, I've read about that.

語言也塑造了我們思考和看待世界的方式。是的，我讀過這方面的書。

There's even a famous study by Professor Lera Boroditsky from Stanford University.

斯坦福大學的 Lera Boroditsky 教授甚至有一項著名的研究。

She found that people who speak different languages actually think differently.

她發現，說不同語言的人的思維方式其實是不同的。

That's why learning a new language can help you see the world in new ways. But it's more than just communication.

這就是為什麼學習一門新語言可以幫助你以新的方式看待世界。但這不僅僅是交流。

Language is also a big part of cultural identity. Yes, language connects us to our culture and history.

語言也是文化身份的重要組成部分。是的，語言將我們與我們的文化和歷史聯繫在一起。

It helps preserve traditions and stories that have been passed down for generations.

它有助於保護世代相傳的傳統和故事。

For example, did you know that many old languages are disappearing? Yes, it's a serious issue.

例如，你知道許多古老的語言正在消失嗎？是的，這是一個嚴重的問題。

According to UNESCO, almost 40% of the world's languages are at risk of disappearing.

據聯合國教科文組織統計，世界上近 40% 的語言面臨消失的危險。

That's why preserving these languages is so important. That's incredible.

這就是為什麼保護這些語言如此重要。太不可思議了

Language really is a link between the past and the present.

語言確實是連接過去和現在的紐帶。

And let's not forget how important language is in education. Of course.

我們也不要忘記語言在教育中的重要性。當然。

We use language to learn everything from reading and writing to understanding science and math. Yes, language is the foundation of all learning.

我們使用語言學習從閱讀和寫作到理解科學和數學的一切知識。是的，語言是一切學習的基礎。

Research even shows that students who are good at language tend to do better in other subjects too. That makes sense.

研究甚至表明，語言能力強的學生往往在其他科目上也表現得更好。這是有道理的。

And knowing more than one language opens up so many opportunities, right? That's right.

會一門以上的語言會帶來很多機會，對嗎？這就對了。

Being bilingual or multilingual can help you in your career, especially if you're working internationally.

掌握雙語或多語對您的職業生涯大有裨益，尤其是在您從事國際性工作的時候。

There's research from the European Commission showing that knowing multiple languages can increase your chances of getting a job by up to 10%. And it's not just about jobs, Leo.

歐盟委員會的一項研究表明，掌握多門語言可以使你找到工作的機率提高 10%。這不僅僅與工作有關，利奧。

Knowing different languages can help you connect with people from other cultures and build relationships. That's a great point, Gwen.

掌握不同的語言可以幫助你與其他文化背景的人建立聯繫，並建立人際關係。說得好，格溫。

And with all the technology today, language is even more important. Yes, from translation apps to AI chatbots, technology relies heavily on language.

如今，隨著科技的發展，語言變得更加重要。是的，從翻譯應用程序到人工智能哈拉機器人，技術在很大程度上依賴於語言。

And who knows?

誰知道呢？

In the future, we might even have technology that helps us learn languages faster. All right, now let's look at some important words from what we've discussed so far.

未來，我們甚至可能擁有幫助我們更快學習語言的技術。好了，現在讓我們來看看我們目前討論過的一些重要單詞。

The first word is language.

第一個詞是語言。

Language means the words and rules we use to communicate with others.

語言是指我們用來與他人交流的文字和規則。

For example, English is a global language spoken by millions of people. The second word is communication.

例如，英語是全球數百萬人使用的語言。第二個詞是交流。

Communication means sharing ideas or information with others.

交流意味著與他人分享想法或資訊。

For example, good communication is important in every job. The next word is culture.

例如，良好的溝通在每項工作中都很重要。下一個詞是文化。

Culture refers to the way of life, traditions, and customs of a group of people.

文化是指一個群體的生活方式、傳統和習俗。

For example, language is a big part of every culture. Another important word is bilingual.

例如，語言是每種文化的重要組成部分。另一個重要的詞是雙語。

Bilingual means a person who can speak two languages fluently.

雙語是指一個人可以流利地說兩種語言。

For example, being bilingual can help you find a better job. And the last word is opportunity.

例如，掌握雙語可以幫助你找到更好的工作。最後一個詞是機會。

Opportunity is a chance to do something or improve your life.

機遇是做某事或改善生活的機會。

For example, learning a new language gives you more opportunities. Let's ask a couple of questions based on what we've talked about today.

例如，學習一門新語言會給你帶來更多機會。讓我們根據今天所講的內容提幾個問題。

First question, what language do you speak the most?

第一個問題，您最擅長說哪種語言？

Yeah, maybe it's your native language or maybe it's a second language. How does learning another language help you in life? That's a great question, Leo.

是的，也許是你的母語，也許是第二語言。學習另一種語言對你的生活有什麼幫助？這是一個很好的問題，里奧。

Now here's the second one.

現在是第二個。

What's the most fun part of learning a new language for you? Yeah, is it learning new words, speaking with new people, or maybe watching movies in that language?

對你來說，學習一門新語言最有趣的部分是什麼？是的，是學習新單詞、與新朋友交談，還是看該語言的電影？

We'd love to hear your answers in the comments below. Now, let's dive deeper into how language and thought are connected.

我們很樂意在下面的評論中聽到您的答案。現在，讓我們深入探討語言和思維之間的聯繫。

Language is not just a tool for communication.

語言不僅僅是交流的工具。

It also shapes the way we think and see the world. That's true, Gwen.

它也塑造了我們思考和看待世界的方式。沒錯，格溫。

I recently read a study that showed how people who speak different languages think differently. Yes, people who speak languages like Chinese or Japanese focus on the big picture, but speakers of English tend to focus more on small details.

我最近讀到一項研究，顯示了講不同語言的人的思維方式有何不同。是的，說中文或日文等語言的人注重大局，但說英語的人往往更注重小細節。

This means language can affect how we solve problems.

這意味著語言會影響我們解決問題的方式。

That's why learning new languages can change how you think. Now, let's talk about language barriers.

這就是為什麼學習新語言可以改變你的思維方式。現在，讓我們來談談語言障礙。

Language barriers are challenges that stop people from understanding each other. I've experienced that before.

語言障礙是阻礙人們相互理解的挑戰。我以前就經歷過這種情況。

When I traveled abroad, I didn't understand the local language.

出國旅行時，我聽不懂當地語言。

It made communication very difficult. Yes, it can be frustrating.

這使得溝通非常困難。是的，這可能令人沮喪。

But there are ways to overcome language barriers.

不過，還是有辦法克服語言障礙的。

Technology has made it easier with translation apps.

有了翻譯應用程序，科技讓一切變得更簡單。

You can now understand another language instantly with your phone.

現在，您可以用手機立即理解另一種語言。

And learning even a few words can make a big difference when talking to someone from another culture.

在與來自其他文化背景的人交談時，哪怕是學會幾個單詞也會帶來很大的不同。

It shows respect and helps build connections. Yes, and that's why learning languages is more important than ever in today's world.

它體現了尊重，有助於建立聯繫。是的，這就是為什麼學習語言在當今世界比以往任何時候都更加重要。

Speaking of languages, here's a fun fact for you, Gwen. Oh, what is it? Did you know that Papua New Guinea has over 800 different languages? Wow, that's incredible.

說到語言，有一個有趣的事實要告訴你，格溫。哦，是什麼？你知道巴巴新幾內亞有800多種語言嗎？哇，太不可思議了

That must make it the most linguistically diverse country in the world. Yes, it is.

那它一定是世界上語言最多樣化的國家了。是的，沒錯。

It's amazing to think that one country can have so many languages spoken in different regions.

一個國家竟然可以在不同地區使用如此多的語言，真是令人驚歎。

That's a perfect example of how rich and diverse human languages are. Now, let's review some key words from today's discussion.

這充分說明了人類語言的豐富性和多樣性。現在，讓我們回顧一下今天討論的一些關鍵詞。

The first word is barrier.

第一個詞是障礙。

A barrier is something that makes it difficult for people to do or understand something.

障礙是指使人們難以做到或理解某些事情的東西。

For example, language can be a barrier when traveling to a new country. The second word is fluent.

例如，到一個新國家旅行時，語言可能會成為障礙。第二個詞是流利。

Fluent means being able to speak a language easily and smoothly.

流利是指能夠輕鬆、順暢地使用一種語言。

For example, she is fluent in English and can have long conversations without problems. The next word is translate.

例如，她的英語非常流利，可以順利地進行長時間的對話。下一個詞是翻譯。

To translate means to change words from one language into another.

翻譯的意思是將一種語言中的詞語翻譯成另一種語言。

For example, he helped me translate the menu from Spanish to English. Another word is global.

例如，他幫我把菜單從西班牙語翻譯成了英語。另一個詞是全球。

Global means something that involves or affects the whole world.

全球是指涉及或影響全世界的事物。

For example, English is a global language spoken in many countries. Let's ask a few questions based on what we talked about today.

例如，英語是一種在許多國家使用的全球性語言。讓我們根據今天所講的內容提幾個問題。

First question, what do you think is the hardest part about learning a new language? That's a tough one.

第一個問題，您認為學習一門新語言最難的部分是什麼？這個問題很難回答。

For me, I think remembering new words is really hard. Yeah, I agree.

對我來說，記住新單詞真的很難。是的，我同意。

It can be hard to remember so many new words.

要記住這麼多新單詞可能很難。

I also think speaking fluently is another big challenge. Definitely.

我還認為，說得流利也是一大挑戰。當然。

It takes time to practice and get comfortable with speaking.

練習和適應演講需要時間。

So, what do you think is the hardest part, dear listeners?

那麼，親愛的聽眾朋友們，你們認為最難的部分是什麼？

Is it remembering words, speaking fluently, or something else?

是記憶單詞、說話流利，還是其他原因？

Let us know in the comments below. Now for the second question, what opportunities can speaking another language give you? Oh, there are so many.

請在下面的評論中告訴我們。第二個問題，說另一種語言能給你帶來什麼機會？哦，有很多。

Like, it can help you get a better job, right? Yes, it can.

比如，它能幫你找到一份更好的工作，對嗎？是的，可以。

Being bilingual or multilingual is a huge advantage in the job market.

掌握雙語或多語是就業市場上的一大優勢。

And don't forget travel.

別忘了旅行。

Speaking the local language when traveling makes the experience so much better. Absolutely.

旅行時講當地語言會讓旅行體驗更加美好。當然可以。

So, what about you, listeners?

那麼，聽眾朋友們，你們呢？

What opportunities do you think learning a new language could give you?

您認為學習一門新語言會給您帶來哪些機遇？

We'd love to hear your thoughts. That was a great discussion today.

我們很樂意聽聽您的想法。今天的討論非常精彩。

Yes, we talked about how important language is and how it shapes our world.

是的，我們談到了語言的重要性以及它如何塑造我們的世界。

We hope you found it helpful and learned something new.

我們希望您能從中受益並學到新知識。

If you have any topics you're interested in, comment below.

如果您有任何感興趣的話題，請在下方評論。

Who knows?

誰知道呢？

Your idea might be featured in one of our next episodes.

您的想法可能會出現在我們下一期的節目中。

Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time. Bye, everyone.

感謝您的收聽，我們下次再見。大家再見