第1610期:Language-learning apps

Are you learning another language? Maybe you’re trying to get to grips with it for work or study, or maybe you’re trying to master it just for the fun of it? Language learning is nothing new, of course, but technology has made it easier than ever to grasp.你在学习另一种语言吗？也许您正试图在工作或学习中掌握它，或者您可能只是为了乐趣而试图掌握它？当然，语言学习并不是什么新鲜事，但技术让它比以往任何时候都更容易掌握。The popularity of language-learning apps in particular has boomed around the world, especially as more people are working or studying at home. They are usually easy and convenient to use because you can access them on your smartphone. And apps can offer languages not popular enough to be taught at evening classes or schools or universities.特别是语言学习应用程序的流行在全球范围内蓬勃发展，尤其是随着越来越多的人在家工作或学习。它们通常易于使用，因为您可以在智能手机上访问它们。应用程序可以提供不够流行的语言，无法在夜校或学校或大学教授。Many of us are aiming to be bilingual to enable us to communicate with people around the world. But, maybe surprisingly, it’s the British, who are not renowned for their enthusiasm for language learning, who are leading the way in the growth of these apps. US firm Duolingo told the BBC that in 2020 new user numbers globally were up 67% compared with 2019, while in the UK they shot up by 132%, almost double the worldwide average. And London-based Busuu, saw a similar trend for learners based in the UK.我们中的许多人的目标是使用双语，以使我们能够与世界各地的人交流。但是，也许令人惊讶的是，引领这些应用程序发展的却是英国人，他们并不以对语言学习的热情而闻名。美国公司 Duolingo 告诉 BBC，2020 年全球新用户数量与 2019 年相比增长了 67%，而在英国则增长了 132%，几乎是全球平均水平的两倍。总部位于伦敦的 Busuu 在英国的学习者中也看到了类似的趋势。But for anyone trying their hand at a new language, what motivates them to carry on learning when there isn’t a teacher around to manage their progress? Colin Watkins from Duolingo told the BBC that for UK learners at least, “people are learning because of culture, brain training, family, and relationships, along with school and travel. We want a positive use of our time, and to do something productive on our phones.” The recent lockdowns have given us more time to do this. Certainly, becoming bilingual or a polyglot is a good thing, and it helps us to bring the world a little closer together.但是对于任何尝试学习一门新语言的人来说，当周围没有老师来管理他们的进步时，是什么激励他们继续学习呢？来自 Duolingo 的 Colin Watkins 告诉 BBC，至少对于英国的学习者来说，“人们在学习是因为文化、大脑训练、家庭和人际关系，还有学校和旅行。我们希望积极利用我们的时间，并在我们的手机上做一些富有成效的事情。”最近的封锁给了我们更多的时间来做到这一点。当然，成为双语或多语种是一件好事，它有助于我们把世界拉得更近一点。词汇表get to grips with something 认真理解并学习master 掌握，精通grasp 理解，掌握convenient 方便的，省事的access 使用，访问smartphone 智能手机evening class 夜校课程bilingual 能用两种语言的communicate 交流enthusiasm 热情，热忱shoot up 猛增，暴涨double 两倍的try one’s hand 试试手，尝试motivate 激发…的积极性progress 进度brain training 头脑训练，智力开发productive 富有成效的polyglot 通晓多种语言的人