I think It's hard to find a word that translates perfectly between languages. Each word has its unique identity, often they refer to more than one thing and multiple meanings for one word are almost never the same across languages. Words also have their own context, degree of formality, frequency of use which make them unique. Relying on translation will get in the way of comprehending the full meaning of a word, what do you think?
@myself a language is not an academic topic that you can pass or fail, but a means of communication. There is no "failure" here, just various degrees of success when you can use that language. Do NOT aim for perfection-or-bust. Even a small success of being able to buy lunch in the language, with bad grammar and not using precisely the right word, is something worth being proud of
#Myself "When I was born, I couldn't speak any language. I learned my native language without translating!
I think it's same about learning new languages".
Your mode of learnng may work if you would be sorrounded by foreigners or being in the country whose language you are learning. It's imposible to become a good learner without translation on your native.
I think the translation is worst way to learn a new language. Because some of words can't translate as same words. Some languages have more powerful nouns ( like Arabic Language), some languages have more detailed tenses (like English), some languages have more spelling (like Chinese ).
If who want to learn a new language, it should think in a foreign language.
My English teachers didn't allow to use translate dictionary at high school. So, I used standart English dictionary. ( I must learned unknown words with English explanation)
And now, I think this is right way for learning.
Hi Dorothy,
That's amazing it made such a difference when your friend stopped translating. I think that's why I tried to avoid doing "output" activities until I have a decent grasp in writing. For example, some language websites give you the option of including the entry in your native language. One time I wrote "entonces" in Spanish but in English I wrote "However" without paying attention even though I meant to write "entonces". I got corrected and the natives said if you want to way however, use "por lo tanto" but that's not what I wanted to use, I wanted to use "entonces". So I stopped posting in both languages.
I want to share an interesting story I heard. A high school English teacher had a student who was very poor at writing. No matter what he did, grammar correction, peer review, free writing with the student to try to get her to fix her English writing, nothing really improved. Then one fall after a long summer vacation, her writing surprised him as it was now excellent. He asked what she did over the summer that changed. She said she started reading a lot of books. That's why I believe input is essential because she saw a lot of correct sentences by natives in a natural context (not fake textbook language). Of course to become really great at writing, I think it also involves you have to practice writing but reading is also essential.
@Liu try to read it and don't translate or think about in your native language I believe you will read it quickly
