How do you train yourself not to translate everything to english in your head when learning a new language?

Question

You know you've mastered a language when you think in that language. But it's hard because I hear the words, then automatically try to translate into English in my head before I process what was said. Doesn't this slow down my comprehension?

Answer 1

Yes, it slows down your comprehension, but it also clarifies your comprehension.

You can only get there, or at least *I* can only get there, by constant practice, living immersed, or forcing some sort of immersion.

Chat, going to places where the language is spoken pretty exclusively, practice online, radio, television and movies, when possible, using programs where you can actually communicate with natives.  All good options.

Answer 2

what?

Answer 3

try to link watever u normally think in english

wif the language uve learnt..

simple

Answer 4

in the first stage of learning , the "automatic translation" is unavoidable and is necessary, I think.

Later on, it would slow your performance. By getting more experience with the language, it is easier for you to think in that language. You will perform longer sentences without trying to translate and is natural.

After you get some experience, you can use a unique language dictionary. For example, if you learn spanish, look for a spanish-spanish dictionary( hard to find a good one though) Tip: you might find such dictionaries online.

Another idea is to write in the language you want to learn even if you do some mistakes.

Answer 5

you lack for communication skills... it means you didn't speak English long enough... if it's your native words which appear in your head instead of foreign words then you need use foreign language more frequently... until you will think in foreign language, not translating one language into another word by word

Answer 6

I know how you feel. I do the same thing. I just try to listen to Spanish TV shows and radio, and talk to my mom in Spanish. She is a native Puerto Rican! It helps, but don't get frustrated, it takes time : )

Good Luck!

Answer 7

sure it slows down your comprehension. But, let me give you a good technique to accelerate your comprehension and help you think in the 2nd language you are learning.

When you watch movies or listen to other people speaking in your native language, try to translate what they say, in your mind, into the language you are learning. Start with simple sentences such as greetings, etc, and then expand it to other more complicated cases. This simple tecnique helps your mind get accustomed with the foreign language's words and structures, and after some time, you will think in that language before you even know that.

Good luck with it!

Answer 8

You might ask yourself why you would bother to "take this step" if you already know what is being said to you in the other language. Just respond! Translating just isn't necessary. We ask students to do this because we want to know if they REALLY understand what is being said to them. But in normal conversation there just isn't any need for this. Just go with the flow as you would if it were all English. If you're wrong about what you're being asked, the other speaker will just naturally correct you. But we do that all the time in English conversations too, don't we?  If you don't know what you're being asked (or told), just say so. We do that in English all the time, don't we?  You will find that simple questions are easiest to respond to. Just do it! Little by little you will be able to understand more complicated things. But this takes time and a lot of practice. Quite honestly, I speak and read five languages, but I'm not conscious of ever trying to "think" in any one of them. I suppose I do, but I've never thought of that as a goal. So I wouldn't worry about it.  What you're doing now is just adding an additional unnecessary task for yourself. It would be the same if you told me that you had to "write everything down" that was said to you before you responded. Just respond! Everyday try to pick up a few words or phrases that you find you tend to need to use a lot. That will help you develop a facility for responding more quickly. Languages are supposed to be fun! I've found that. Don't be frustrated . Just keep going!