向老师祝“羊说”公众号的读者们蛇年健康快乐！
Happy New Year, and may the Year of the Snake bring enlightenment and renewal. The old saying, "A snake must shed its old skin to grow," captures the essence of wisdom and rebirth in Chinese culture. From the snake's elegance and adaptability, we learn that language learning is not merely a task but a transformative journey that fosters genuine fluency and intuitive understanding in cross-cultural communication. On this first day of the Year of the Snake, I aim to present a simple approach to mastering English, challenging the deep-seated belief that grammar alone can lead to complete linguistic mastery. Instead, I propose a path that elevates our language skills in a manner that honors the profound wisdom of the snake.
新年快乐，愿蛇年为你带来智慧与新生。古语有云：“蛇不蜕皮，不得成长。”（典故：黄人《序》中的“蜕故孳zī 新”）中国传统文化中也有追求智慧与蜕变的精神，古人与我有戚戚焉。从蛇的优雅与对环境的适应力中，广大的英语学习者可以领悟到：语言学习不仅是一项任务，更是一场蜕变之旅，它能培养真正的跨文化流利度与直觉理解力。在这蛇年的第一天，向老师想为你勾勒一条掌握英语的路径，挑战“仅靠语法就能精通语言”的固有观念。让我们以蛇的深邃智慧为指引，在新的一年让语言学习焕发新生。
Grammar fundamentalism is a significant barrier for English learners. It dissects vibrant language into lifeless grammatical tidbits and fosters a problem-solving mindset that disconnects us from real language use. While grammar is undoubtedly foundational, studying it in isolation leads to rote memorization, hindering our ability to appreciate extensive literary works and non-fiction, as well as to express ideas freely. It’s like a young snake, newly arrived in its environment, aware only of the grass it slides over, yet oblivious to the expansive forest around it.
"语法本本主义"是英语学习者的一大障碍。它把鲜活的语言肢解为了无生趣的语法知识点，并用培养做题家的模式让我们与真实的语言隔绝。尽管语法是基础，但孤立于语境的学习往往导致死记硬背，无法欣赏大篇幅的文学与非虚构类的作品，更无法自由的输出观点——就像初来乍到的小蛇只感知它滑过的草地，而未觉察到自己所处的更广阔的森林。
Language, in its most sublime form, is a complex tapestry woven from the threads of culture, history, philosophy, arts and human emotion. It is a living entity that evolves with its speakers, much like a snake that gracefully adapts to its surroundings. Attempting to master a language by focusing solely on grammar is like trying to understand the vastness of a forest by examining each leaf individually. The beauty and intricacies of English, or any language, are best appreciated and understood within the broader context of its use.
语言，从其最精妙的表现来看，是文化、历史、哲学、艺术和人类情感交织的复杂画卷。它是一个有生命力、随着使用者发展而演变的有机体，正如小蛇慢慢成长，优雅从容地适应其周围环境。仅凭语法来掌握一门语言，就像试图通过观察每片树叶来理解森林的广袤——只见树木不见森林。英语或任何语言的美丽与复杂性，欣赏与理解的最佳方式，必定是在更广阔的语境中使用并领悟。
This brings us to the importance of context. Context is the lifeblood of language. Words find their true meaning and purpose only within the appropriate context, just as a snake relies on its environment to survive and thrive. Consider how celebrated authors like J.K. Rowling, Ernest Hemingway, or Jane Austen have mastered English not just through grammatical precision but by weaving words into narratives that create worlds, evoke emotions, and convey profound truths. Their words are not mere vessels of meaning; they transport us to other realms, enabling us to feel and think in ways previously unimaginable.
这就引出了语境的重要性。语境是语言的生命线。词汇只有在合适的语境中才能找到其真正的意义和目的，正如蛇依赖其环境来生存和繁衍。想想J.K.罗琳、欧内斯特·海明威或简·奥斯汀等著名作家，他们不仅通过语法精确地掌握了英语，更通过编织词语来构建世界、唤起情感和传达深刻的真理。他们使用的词汇不仅是意义的载体，更是能够带我们进入另一个世界，让我们以全新的方式感受和思考的桥梁。
Similarly, vocabulary should not be learned in isolation. A word, stripped of its context, is like a star without a sky; it may still shine, but its full beauty and purpose are realized only when it is part of a larger constellation. Language learners should immerse themselves in the language as it is naturally used—in daily life, literature, film, and conversation. This immersion provides a rich context that illuminates the meaning of words and phrases, making them easier to grasp, remember, and use effectively.
同样，词汇的学习也不应孤立进行。一个脱离了语境的词汇就像一颗没有天空的星星；它可能依然会发光，但只有当它成为星座中的一部分时，其真正的美丽才会显现。语言学习者应该沉浸在自然使用语言的环境中——在日常生活、文学作品、电影和对话中。这种沉浸体验提供了丰富的语境，能够烘托词汇和短语的意义指望，使其更容易被理解、记住和有效使用。
As we embark on this linguistic journey in the Year of the Snake, let's not be confined by the rigid structures of grammar or atomized vocabulary alone. Instead, let's embrace the full spectrum of language learning—the context, the culture, and the dynamic, evolving nature of language itself. This holistic approach not only makes learning more engaging and effective but also enriches our understanding of the diverse ways humans express themselves.
当我们在蛇年重启这一语言学习之旅时，不要让自己被语法的固定结构和原子化的记词所限制。相反，我们应该全面拥抱语言学习——语境、文化以及语言本身不断变化、发展的本质。这种鲜活的整体学习方法不仅使语言习得过程更具吸引力和效果，还能加深我们对人类表达方式多样性的理解。
In closing, to all those who traverse the realm of language, let this vision guide you: Glide through the vast ocean of language as a serpent slides through an ancient forest and sea, silently, with deliberate grace and profound intent. Dive deep beneath the surface to uncover its hidden depths, navigate its complex currents, and unearth treasures veiled in obscurity. Like a snake, maintain your breath and agility as your skin touches the earth and deep sea. Let context be your steadfast compass, guiding you not just to learn a language but to embody and live it fully. Happy Chinese New Year!
最后，对于所有在语言世界中遨游的人，愿这个画面引导你：像蛇一样在古老的森林和大海中静默滑行，以优雅的姿态和深远的意图，穿越语言的浩瀚深渊。深入语言表面之下，探索其隐秘的深处，驾驭复杂的洋流，并发掘被遮蔽的宝藏。如同蛇一样，当你的皮肤触碰大地和深海时，保持你的呼吸、节奏和敏捷。让语境成为你的坚定指南针，引领你不仅学习一种语言，而是全身心地生活其中。蛇年快乐！
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1. 词汇测试成绩（精确到百位） http://testyourvocab.com/ 英语能力的量化评估：如何测词，理解自己的词汇水位？
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教师简介
向杨，芝加哥大学社会学博士在读。四川大学生物技术基地班本科，芝加哥大学政治学硕士。“羊说”公众号创办人，专访众多政治、社会、文化界领袖。十三年持续从事英语教学和管理。
◾ 2010年外研社演讲大赛全国季军；
◾ 2009年中央电视台希望之星风采大赛四川省冠军；
◾ 屡次在国际英国议会制辩论赛获奖;
◾ 人事部口、笔译二级(CATTI)；
◾ 托福118，口语写作阅读满分。
◾ 演讲、辩论教练；托福雅思词汇，GRE教学专家；留学规划申请专家。
◾ 众多学生获得各类演讲大赛全国大奖，不少考入世界著名高中大学，如全美排名第一的高中Phillips Academy Andover（菲利普斯·安多弗），斯坦福大学东亚系博士等。
