Stop the Headache of "Mental Translation" – You've Probably Been Using the Wrong Method All Along

Have you ever been through this: you're chatting with a foreigner, and the moment they speak, your brain instantly switches into "simultaneous translation" mode? You're busy translating their words into Hindi (or your native language) on one side, and on the other, painstakingly translating your own thoughts from Hindi into English.

And what's the result? Stuttering conversations, awkward expressions, not just struggling to keep up, but also feeling quite clumsy.

We all believe that the ultimate goal of learning a foreign language is to "stop mental translation and think directly in the foreign language." So, we desperately tell ourselves: "Don't translate! Don't translate!" But then we discover that the more we suppress it, the stronger the urge to translate becomes.

So, where exactly is the problem?

Today, I want to share a method that might just change your perspective. The core of the issue isn't "translation" itself, but rather that the thing we're trying to translate is far too complex.

Your Thoughts Are Like a Complex Lego Model

Imagine your native language thinking process as an exquisitely built "Temple of Heaven model" that you've constructed with Lego bricks. It's intricate in structure, rich in detail, with every brick perfectly placed.

Now, you start learning a new language, say, English. This is like being given a brand new box of Lego bricks with different rules.

What's the first mistake you make then?

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

Is that possible? Of course not.

You're unfamiliar with how to join these new bricks, and the parts you have might not even fully match. So, you end up flustered and clumsy, repeatedly dismantling and reassembling, only to be left with a jumbled pile of parts.

This is exactly what happens in your brain during "mental translation." It's not the act of "translating" that causes you distress; it's trying to translate an overly complex "native language model."

The Real Secret: Start with One Brick

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

Step One: Dismantle your "Temple of Heaven" and find the most core brick.

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

For instance, your "Temple of Heaven model" in your mind might be: "If the weather is this good today, why don't we go for a walk on the beach? Let's not waste this rare 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 "subject-verb-object" structured sentences, the difficulty of translation drops by 90% instantly. You can easily say these two simple sentences in your new language.

Step Two: Learn Simple Connections

Once you can proficiently assemble these "small bricks," then learn to combine them using the simplest conjunctions (like and, but, so, because).

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

While this sentence might not be as eloquent as your original thought, it's clear, accurate, and completely sufficient! The essence of communication is to effectively convey information, not to display literary prowess.

Step Three: Immerse Yourself in the "Lego World" Until You Forget the Instructions

As you get used to communicating with "brick thinking," you'll find the burden of "mental translation" getting smaller and smaller.

Next comes the most crucial step: extensive exposure to the new language. Watch, listen, read. Watch your favourite movies, listen to your preferred podcasts, read articles that interest you.

This process is like a Lego enthusiast spending all day immersed in the Lego world. They constantly observe others' creations, learn new building techniques, and before long, they no longer need instructions. They can intuitively and with muscle memory, freely create their own models.

This is the true state of "thinking in a foreign language." It doesn't appear out of thin air; it's achieved naturally through these three steps: "Simplify – Combine – Immerse."

Making Communication Simple

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

What you truly need to change is to stop building "complex models" and learn to enjoy the fun of "assembling simple bricks."

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

Of course, immersion and practice require companions. If you want to find a safe environment to practice communicating with simple "bricks" with people from all over the world, you can try Intent. It's a chat App with built-in AI translation. When you get stuck, it can give you prompts like a Lego instruction manual, helping you complete conversations smoothly. You can easily put your "brick thinking" into practice through real-time communication.

Remember, language is not 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 building your language world from the simplest brick.