Stop Stressing About 'Mental Translation' – You Might Be Doing It All Wrong

Have you ever found yourself in this situation? You're chatting with a foreigner, and the moment they open their mouth, your brain immediately switches into "simultaneous interpretation" mode, busily translating their words into Chinese, then strenuously trying to translate your own Chinese thoughts back into English.

The result? The conversation grinds to a halt, you have an awkward expression, you can't keep up with the pace, and you feel incredibly clumsy.

We all tend to believe that the ultimate goal of learning a foreign language is to "stop translating in your head and think directly in the language." So, we frantically tell ourselves, "Don't translate! Don't translate!" But what we often find is that the more we try to suppress it, the stronger the urge to translate becomes.

So, where exactly does the problem lie?

Today, I want to share a method that might completely change your perspective. The crucial point isn't "translation" itself; it's that the things we're trying to translate are far too complex.

Your Thoughts: A Complex LEGO Model

Imagine this: your thought process in your native language is like a magnificent "Temple of Heaven model" you've meticulously constructed with LEGO bricks. It's intricately structured, rich in detail, and every single brick is perfectly placed.

Now, you start learning a new language, English for example. This is like being given a brand new box of LEGO bricks, but with different rules.

So, what's the first mistake you make?

You look at that magnificent "Temple of Heaven" in your mind, and you try to use the new bricks in your hand to replicate it exactly, and in one go.

Is that even possible? Of course not.

You're unfamiliar with how to connect these new bricks, and the pieces you have might not even perfectly match. So, you fumble frantically, repeatedly taking apart and reassembling, only to end up with a messy pile of disparate pieces.

This is precisely what's happening in your brain during "mental translation". What's causing you distress isn't the act of "translation" itself, but your attempt to translate an overly complex "native language model".

The Real Secret: Start with a Single Brick

So, how do the experts do it? They don't start by aiming to build the "Temple of Heaven". Instead, they break down that ambitious goal into the most fundamental, simplest steps.

Step One: Dismantle Your "Temple of Heaven" and Find the Core Brick

Forget about flowery language and complex clauses. When you want to express an idea, first ask yourself: what's the most fundamental, simplest version of this thought?

For instance, the "Temple of Heaven model" in your mind might be: "If the weather's this good today, why don't we go for a stroll along the beach? Let's not waste this glorious sunshine."

Don't rush to translate the whole thing! Break it down into the simplest "LEGO bricks":

• Brick 1: The weather is good.
• Brick 2: I want to go to the beach.

See? When you simplify complex thoughts into core sentences with a subject-verb-object structure, the difficulty of translation instantly drops by 90%. You can then effortlessly express these two simple sentences in your new language.

Step Two: Learn Simple Connections

Once you can skilfully piece together these "small bricks", then learn to combine them using the simplest linking words (like and, but, so, because).

• The weather is good, so I want to go to the beach.

While this sentence may not be as eloquent as your initial thought, it's clear, accurate, and perfectly sufficient! The essence of communication is to effectively convey information, not to showcase literary flair.

Step Three: Immerse Yourself in the "LEGO World" Until You Forget the Blueprint

Once you get used to communicating with this "brick thinking" approach, you'll find the burden of "mental translation" becomes increasingly light.

Next comes the most crucial step: immersing yourself extensively in the new language. Watch, listen, read. Watch films you enjoy, listen to podcasts you like, read articles that interest you.

This process is just like a LEGO enthusiast who spends all day immersed in the LEGO world. They constantly observe others' creations, learning new building techniques. Over time, they no longer need to look at blueprints; they can instinctively and with muscle memory, create their own models freely.

This is the true state of "thinking in a foreign language". It doesn't happen out of thin air; rather, it's naturally achieved through these three steps: "simplify—combine—immerse".

Making Communication Simple

So, please stop blaming yourself for "mental translation". It's not your enemy; rather, it's a necessary step on your learning journey.

What you truly need to change is to stop trying to build "complex models" and instead learn to enjoy the pleasure of "assembling simple bricks".

1. When you want to express something, simplify first.
2. When you speak, use short sentences.
3. When you have time, immerse yourself.

Of course, immersion and practice require companions. If you're looking for a safe environment to practise communicating with people from all over the world using simple "bricks", you could try Intent. It's a chat app with built-in AI translation, and when you get stuck, it can give you hints like a LEGO instruction manual, helping you complete conversations smoothly. You can easily put your "brick thinking" into practise during real interactions.

Remember, language isn't a tool for showing off; it's a bridge for connection. From today, let go of your obsession with perfection, and like a child, start with the simplest brick to build your own language world.