From "the dog ate my homework" to "my bus was late," we're all fluent in the language of excuses. But wouldn't it be better to be fluent in another language instead? Let's take a look at the top reasons people give for not learning a new language.
從「狗啃了我的作業」到「我的公車誤點了」，我們都很會「找藉口」這語言。但換成很會說另一種語言不是更好嗎？讓我們來看看人們為了不要學習新語言所說的前幾大理由吧。
"I don't have enough time!"
「我沒有足夠的時間!」
An average person spends an estimated 45 to 60 minutes waiting around every day. So while stuck in traffic, you can neatly slice in 15 to 30 minutes learning time and still have time for a daydream.
普通人每天估計花上 45 到 60 分鐘瞎等。所以當困在車陣裡時，你可以聰明地撥出 15 到 30 分鐘的學習時間，然後還是有時間做白日夢。
"It's too expensive!"
「太貴了!」
Back in the dark old days, language learning meant buying stacks of dictionaries and grammar books—not anymore. By occasionally skipping the nearest Fourbucks for coffee, you can make your language learning dreams come true.
回到那黑暗的遠古時期，語言學習代表買一疊又一疊的字典和文法書－－再也不是這樣了。偶爾別到最近的腥八克買咖啡，你就可以讓你的語言學習夢想成真。
"It's intimidating!"
「學新語言太嚇人了!」
Learning a language doesn't mean you have to learn all of the language. Just think, Do you know over a million words in English? With 30 minutes of language learning per day, you'll be rolling on the path to fluency.
學習一種語言不代表你必須學那語言的全部。只要想想看，你知道超過一百萬個英文單字嗎？每天學語言 30 分鐘，你就會邁上說得流利的康莊大道。
"But doesn't everyone speak English?"
「但不是每個人都說英文嗎？」
Did you know only 10 percent of the world's people speak English as a first or second language? Spanish and Chinese are both snapping at its heels. Besides, you can't truly experience a culture until you get chatting to the locals on vacation.
你知道全世界只有百分之十的人把英文當第一或第二語言在說嗎？西班牙文和中文兩種語言都緊追其後。此外，直到你在渡假時和當地人聊天前，你都無法真正體驗一種文化。
"I'm too old!"
「我太老了!」
You're never too old to learn a language. In fact, learning a language can even make your brain younger and help stave off memory-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's.
學習語言永遠不嫌老。事實上，學一種語言甚至可以讓你的大腦變得更年輕，並幫助擊退記憶相關疾病，例如阿茲海默症。
"I'm no good at it!"
「我對這不在行啦!」
We blame bad memories of school language classes for this one. All humans are super talented at learning language. We picked it up naturally as kids just by listening—no books or studying involved.
我們把這問題歸罪到學校語言課帶來的痛苦回憶上。所有人類在學習語言這方面都極具天賦。我們還是小孩時只靠聽就自然把它學起來了－－不需要任何書或學習。
"I don't travel, so I'll never get to use it."
「我又不旅遊，所以我永遠不會用到它!」
Thanks to the Internet, the world is getting smaller every day. Speaking another language opens up a whole new part of the world to you, unlocking new career and social opportunities.
拜網際網路所賜，這世界一天天變得更小了。開口說另一種語言向你敞開這世界一個嶄新的部分，開啟新的職業和社交機會。
"I'm too embarrassed to talk to a native speaker!"
「我太不好意思開口和母語人士說話了!」
Fear of being laughed at for speaking a different language affects even the most confident among us. Relax. Native speakers won't be questioning your use of the present subjunctive; they'll be bowled over that you've made the effort to converse in their language.
怕講一個不同的語言會被嘲笑的恐懼甚至會影響到我們之中最有自信的人。放輕鬆。母語人士不會去質疑你用現在假設語氣；他們會很驚訝你努力嘗試用他們的語言來交談。
So trust us, you too can easily become an uber-confident multi-linguist.
所以相信我們，你也可以輕鬆成為一個超有自信精通數種外語的人。
- 「看一看」- Take A Look At
Let's take a look at the top reasons people give for not learning a new language.
讓我們來看看人們為了不要學習新語言所說的前幾大理由吧。 - 「在某處等候」- Wait Around
An average person spends an estimated 45 to 60 minutes waiting around every day.
普通人每天估計花上 45 到 60 分鐘瞎等。 - 「緊追著某人」- Snap At One's Heels
Spanish and Chinese are both snapping at its heels.
西班牙文和中文兩種語言都緊追其後。 - 「擊退、趕走」- Stave Off
In fact, learning a language can even make your brain younger and help stave off memory-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's.
事實上，學一種語言甚至可以讓你的大腦變得更年輕，並幫助擊退記憶相關疾病，例如阿茲海默症。 - 「學會」- Pick Up
We picked it up naturally as kids just by listening—no books or studying involved.
我們還是小孩時只靠聽就自然把它學起來了－－不需要任何書或學習。 - 「使某人大吃一驚」- Bowl Over
...they'll be bowled over that you've made the effort to converse in their language.
...他們會很驚訝你努力嘗試用他們的語言來交談。
