手機版
Although Tom and I have known each other for 16 months, we still haven't had what you might call a decent chat. I've tried to initiate conversation countless times, but he always seems more interested in playing games, singing songs or hiding. It's good to talk, I tell him, but he doesn't reply. I'm beginning to get frustrated.
盡管我和Tom彼此已經認識了16個(ge)月(yue)，但(dan)是(shi)我(wo)們(men)至(zhi)今(jin)為(wei)止(zhi)還(hai)是(shi)沒(mei)有(you)進(jin)行(xing)過(guo)一(yi)次(ci)正(zheng)經(jing)八(ba)百(bai)的(de)交(jiao)談(tan)。我(wo)曾(zeng)無(wu)數(shu)次(ci)地(di)試(shi)圖(tu)展(zhan)開(kai)一(yi)次(ci)對(dui)話(hua)，但(dan)是(shi)他(ta)似(si)乎(hu)總(zong)是(shi)對(dui)玩(wan)遊(you)戲(xi)，唱(chang)歌(ge)，捉(zhuo)迷(mi)藏(zang)更(geng)感(gan)興(xing)趣(qu)。雖(sui)然(ran)我(wo)告(gao)訴(su)他(ta)，說(shuo)話(hua)是(shi)很(hen)棒(bang)的(de)事(shi)，可(ke)是(shi)他(ta)沒(mei)理(li)我(wo)。我(wo)於(yu)是(shi)開(kai)始(shi)感(gan)到(dao)挫(cuo)敗(bai)起(qi)來(lai)。
It's not necessarily Tom's fault. I'm pretty confident he does want to talk to me; he just doesn't know how. He doesn't speak my language. Unfortunately he doesn't speak any other languages either. If he did, I'm sure we'd have found some way to communicate by now, even it was one of those clicking languages from southern Africa. If he was a parrot from southern Africa we'd have made more progress. If he was a dolphin he could do the clicks. But Tom's problem is more fundamental than simply being a different species.
這並不能算是Tomdecuo。wohenkendingtabushibuxiangyuwojiaotan，ershitabuzhidaoruhejiaotan，yinweitabuhuishuowodeyuyan。buxingdeshi，tayebuhuishuoqitarenheyizhongyuyan。ruguotahuidehua，daoxianzaiweizhi，wogankendingwomenyijingzhaodaoyixiefangshilaijiaoliule，napashiyongnanfeidezasheyin。ruguotashiyizhinanfeideyingwu，womenhuoxuyijingyousuojinzhanle；如果他是一隻海豚，他可以發吸氣音。然而Tom的問題可比簡單地作為另一個物種深入多了！
The thing is, he's a baby. He was born in May last year and he isn't yet physically capable of speech. His modest brain isn't quite up to speed and even if it was, he has very little control of his tiny tongue. Although occasionally cute, baby humans are virtually useless. He can't even walk, let alone forage for food or sleep beyond 6am.
問題在於，他是一個嬰兒。他於去年5yuechusheng，zaishenglishangtaduishuohuahaiwunengweili。tabutaiqiangdadenaozihaibutaigendeshangsudu，jiusuannenggenshang，taduizijidexiaoshetouyezhiyouweiruodekongzhili。jinguanyoushihourenleiyingerhenkeai，danshitamenshijishangmeiyouyong。tashenzhibuhuizoulu，gengbieshuozijimishihuoshichengdaoxiawu6點以後睡覺了。
But Tom can now do some things. He can slither down from a sofa, pick up peas and point wildly at anything that catches his bright blue eyes. And while not particularly useful as a single manoeuvre, that level of co-ordination means he's more than ready to communicate, if only I knew how to encourage him. It's really me who is being slow.
但是Tom現(xian)在(zai)可(ke)以(yi)完(wan)成(cheng)一(yi)些(xie)事(shi)。他(ta)能(neng)從(cong)沙(sha)發(fa)上(shang)滑(hua)下(xia)來(lai)，撿(jian)起(qi)豌(wan)豆(dou)，並(bing)且(qie)能(neng)激(ji)動(dong)地(di)指(zhi)著(zhe)任(ren)何(he)能(neng)吸(xi)引(yin)他(ta)那(na)明(ming)亮(liang)的(de)藍(lan)眼(yan)球(qiu)的(de)東(dong)西(xi)。盡(jin)管(guan)這(zhe)些(xie)簡(jian)單(dan)的(de)移(yi)動(dong)還(hai)不(bu)能(neng)發(fa)揮(hui)具(ju)體(ti)作(zuo)用(yong)，但(dan)這(zhe)種(zhong)配(pei)合(he)表(biao)明(ming)了(le)他(ta)已(yi)經(jing)急(ji)不(bu)可(ke)待(dai)地(di)要(yao)與(yu)人(ren)交(jiao)流(liu)了(le)，如(ru)果(guo)我(wo)知(zhi)道(dao)如(ru)何(he)鼓(gu)勵(li)他(ta)就(jiu)好(hao)了(le)。看(kan)來(lai)，那(na)個(ge)慢(man)半(ban)拍(pai)的(de)人(ren)是(shi)我(wo)才(cai)對(dui)。
We don't know what words man said first. Some experts have speculated that primitive language was developed from random sounds; early homo, they say, might have based his first words either on the noises he heard, like the splash of falling water; or on his own instinctive cries, like a gulp of surprise at the sight of falling water.
我(wo)們(men)不(bu)知(zhi)道(dao)人(ren)類(lei)最(zui)先(xian)說(shuo)的(de)是(shi)哪(na)些(xie)詞(ci)。一(yi)些(xie)專(zhuan)家(jia)已(yi)推(tui)測(ce)，那(na)些(xie)最(zui)初(chu)的(de)語(yu)言(yan)是(shi)從(cong)隨(sui)機(ji)的(de)聲(sheng)音(yin)中(zhong)發(fa)展(zhan)起(qi)來(lai)的(de)。他(ta)們(men)聲(sheng)稱(cheng)，早(zao)期(qi)人(ren)類(lei)的(de)第(di)一(yi)個(ge)詞(ci)也(ye)許(xu)要(yao)麼(me)基(ji)於(yu)他(ta)所(suo)聽(ting)到(dao)的(de)噪(zao)音(yin)，像(xiang)是(shi)濺(jian)水(shui)的(de)聲(sheng)音(yin)；要麼基於他自己本能的喊叫，像是看到降水時驚奇地吞咽口水的聲音。
But some believe that language was developed from signs rather than noises. Gestural theory suggests that man first communicated with hand and body movements and developed language from there.
然ran而er，一yi些xie人ren認ren為wei語yu言yan是shi從cong肢zhi體ti動dong作zuo發fa展zhan起qi來lai，而er不bu是shi從cong周zhou圍wei的de噪zao音yin中zhong發fa展zhan起qi來lai的de。肢zhi體ti語yu言yan理li論lun認ren為wei，人ren類lei最zui初chu是shi用yong手shou和he身shen體ti動dong作zuo來lai交jiao流liu，並bing且qie語yu言yan是shi由you此ci發fa展zhan起qi來lai的de。
The origin of language theories can never amount to much more than educated conjecture. But anyone who owns a child can observe firsthand how their speech slowly emerges. Tom, for instance, has yet to say his first proper word. He did go through a phase of saying "bra" every time he looked at a woman, but that was surely just a coincidence.
語yu言yan起qi源yuan理li論lun總zong不bu會hui超chao過guo其qi學xue術shu性xing推tui測ce的de框kuang框kuang。然ran而er，任ren何he有you孩hai子zi的de人ren都dou可ke以yi率lv先xian觀guan察cha孩hai子zi的de言yan語yu是shi如ru何he初chu步bu顯xian現xian的de。比bi如ru說shuo，才cai學xue會hui說shuo第di一yi個ge完wan整zheng的de詞ci的deTom，在一段時間裏，每次看見女人，便會說“bra"，但是這絕對隻是一個巧合。
As well as "bra", Tom has been able to say "dada" and "mama" for almost a year now, but I'm not counting these as proper words. Babies throughout the world tend to start with such sounds, and this in turn is why so many languages' words for mother, father and baby have similar shapes; father can be expressed as "daddy" in English, baba in Albanian, ubaba in Zula, p¯ap¯a in Maori and atta in Latin. We've chosen these terms to mirror the repetitious consonants that babies seem to like so much.
至今為止，同"bra"一樣，Tom已經能夠說"dada"和"mama"快kuai一yi年nian了le，但dan是shi我wo還hai沒mei把ba這zhe些xie當dang做zuo正zheng規gui詞ci語yu。全quan世shi界jie的de嬰ying兒er都dou傾qing向xiang於yu以yi這zhe些xie聲sheng音yin開kai始shi，而er這zhe反fan過guo來lai說shuo明ming了le為wei什shen麼me在zai許xu多duo語yu言yan中zhong，表biao示shi媽ma媽ma，爸ba爸ba和he嬰ying兒er的de詞ci都dou用yong相xiang似si的de形xing態tai。”爸爸“在英語裏叫"daddy"，在阿爾巴尼亞語裏叫baba，在祖魯語裏叫ubaba，在毛利語裏叫p-ap-a，拉丁語裏叫atta。我們選擇的這些發音反映了嬰兒似乎喜歡重複的輔音。
As with all their basic skills, babies start talking at different ages. Einstein famously didn't say a word until he was three years old, Picasso said piz piz (a shortening of the Spanish for pencil) at 18 months, and one of the babies in our NCT class said "foible" before she was one. It's probably best not to worry too much about when they say what. They'll all get there in the end. But when I Google "my baby can't talk yet" I can't help but grow a little concerned. A typical 18-month-old, says the website of the Child Development Institute, "has vocabulary of approximately five to 20 words". Perhaps we will count bra, mama and dada after all. Just two more in two months and he'll be normal.
同其他基本技能一樣，嬰兒在不同的年齡開始說話。愛因斯坦直到三歲才說話，這是出了名的，畢加索在18個月大時說piz piz（西班牙語對鉛筆的縮寫），我們NCT班裏的一個嬰兒在一歲前說“foible”。所以，或許最好不要太擔心他們何時開口說話，說的是什麼，反正到頭來，他們都會說話的。但是當我在網上搜索“我的嬰兒還不會說話”時，我不由得有點擔心起來。兒童發展學會網說，一般而言，對於一個18歲大的嬰兒來說，“詞彙量大約在5到20個單詞之間。”或許我們還得將bra,mama,和dada也算作一個詞吧，隻要在下兩個月內再掌握兩個單詞，他就在正常之列了。
As far as I can tell, Tom hasn't deliberately mastered a sign for any particular object yet, but he does point incessantly, wave goodbye and clap when excited. So perhaps his gestures are advancing faster than his speech. Perhaps, with a helping hand, this could be our shortcut to satisfying communication.
據我所知，Tom還(hai)尚(shang)未(wei)有(you)意(yi)識(shi)地(di)掌(zhang)握(wo)一(yi)種(zhong)針(zhen)對(dui)任(ren)何(he)特(te)別(bie)事(shi)物(wu)的(de)肢(zhi)體(ti)動(dong)作(zuo)，但(dan)是(shi)他(ta)無(wu)休(xiu)止(zhi)地(di)用(yong)手(shou)指(zhi)物(wu)體(ti)，揮(hui)手(shou)再(zai)見(jian)，並(bing)在(zai)激(ji)動(dong)的(de)時(shi)候(hou)拍(pai)手(shou)。所(suo)以(yi)，也(ye)許(xu)他(ta)的(de)肢(zhi)體(ti)動(dong)作(zuo)比(bi)他(ta)的(de)語(yu)言(yan)進(jin)展(zhan)得(de)更(geng)快(kuai)。也(ye)許(xu)手(shou)勢(shi)的(de)幫(bang)助(zhu)，可(ke)以(yi)加(jia)快(kuai)我(wo)們(men)滿(man)意(yi)的(de)溝(gou)通(tong)。
We'd like Tom to talk to us as soon as possible so that we can find out what's on his mind, rather than whether his mind is average or not. I'm desperate to know what he's got to say for himself. And, more than his opinions on culture and politics, I mainly want to know how he's feeling, if only so that my wife and I no longer have to guess. One whingey afternoon we thought he might be hungry, tired, teething or just a generally grumpy human being before finally realising he was hot. If only we'd all known there was a simple gesture for it.
我們想要Tom盡(jin)快(kuai)和(he)我(wo)們(men)說(shuo)話(hua)，這(zhe)樣(yang)我(wo)們(men)便(bian)可(ke)以(yi)知(zhi)道(dao)他(ta)在(zai)想(xiang)什(shen)麼(me)，而(er)不(bu)是(shi)隻(zhi)能(neng)判(pan)斷(duan)他(ta)的(de)想(xiang)法(fa)是(shi)否(fou)在(zai)平(ping)均(jun)水(shui)平(ping)。我(wo)已(yi)經(jing)迫(po)不(bu)及(ji)待(dai)地(di)想(xiang)知(zhi)道(dao)他(ta)會(hui)為(wei)自(zi)己(ji)說(shuo)些(xie)什(shen)麼(me)。並(bing)且(qie)，比(bi)起(qi)他(ta)對(dui)文(wen)化(hua)和(he)政(zheng)治(zhi)的(de)看(kan)法(fa)來(lai)，我(wo)更(geng)想(xiang)知(zhi)道(dao)他(ta)的(de)感(gan)覺(jiao)，要(yao)是(shi)我(wo)和(he)妻(qi)子(zi)不(bu)用(yong)再(zai)猜(cai)那(na)該(gai)多(duo)好(hao)。一(yi)天(tian)下(xia)午(wu)，我(wo)們(men)以(yi)為(wei)他(ta)可(ke)能(neng)是(shi)餓(e)了(le)，累(lei)了(le)，長(chang)牙(ya)了(le)或(huo)者(zhe)隻(zhi)是(shi)有(you)一(yi)點(dian)人(ren)類(lei)共(gong)有(you)的(de)煩(fan)躁(zao)，後(hou)來(lai)我(wo)們(men)才(cai)意(yi)識(shi)到(dao)他(ta)是(shi)熱(re)著(zhe)了(le)。如(ru)果(guo)他(ta)有(you)一(yi)個(ge)簡(jian)單(dan)的(de)肢(zhi)體(ti)動(dong)作(zuo)來(lai)表(biao)達(da)他(ta)的(de)意(yi)圖(tu)，而(er)我(wo)們(men)對(dui)其(qi)了(le)如(ru)指(zhi)掌(zhang)就(jiu)好(hao)了(le)。
Baby signing was invented with just such a situation in mind. The basic premise – that babies can communicate before they can talk – was investigated thoroughly by the scientist Joseph Garcia, among others, in the late 1980s. While working at Alaska Pacific University, Garcia suggested that even at six months, hearing babies of hearing parents can begin learning basic sign language for ideas such as eat, drink, milk, more, no and hot. According to his theory, a hot baby with a basic grasp of signing would simply move his open hand across his forehead to make his parents instantly remove his unnecessary jumper.
嬰兒的肢體動作是在這樣的思想狀態下出現的。其基本前提是，嬰兒在他們會說話之前就會交流，在20世紀80年代後期，Joseph Garcia及其他科學家對此做過徹底地調查研究。還在阿拉斯加太平洋大學工作時，Garcia表明，就算是那些自己和父母都有聽力能力的隻有6geyuedadeyinger，yedouhuikaishixuexiyixiejibendezhitiyuyan，biruxiangchifan，heshui，niunai，gengduo，buyao，redeng。jucililun，yigeganjiaodaoredeyinger，ruguozhangwoyizhongjibendezhitidongzuo，keyijiandandibatatankaidexiaoshouyishangqiane，yibianrangfumumashangbangtatuodiaobubiyaodejiake。
It wasn't until a few years ago, however, that baby signing really took off in the UK. It seems odd that, despite having the means to sign since the birth of language, we've only recently decided to share this information with our babies. Deaf communities have always known that infants can sign before they can talk, but hearing parents hadn't thought to follow suit.
raner，yingerzhitidongzuozaiyingguokaishiliuxingqilaihaibudaojiniangongfu。qiguaideshi，jinguanrenmenzaiyuyanchuxianqianjiuzaishiyongzhitidongzuole，kewomencongzuijincaijuedinghewomendeyingergongxiangzhegexinxi。shicongquntiyizhidouzhidaoyingerzaitamenhuishuohuaqianbianhuizuodongzuo，danshiyoutinglidefumuquecongmeiyouxiangguozhaozhezuo。
Today, though, there are countless baby sign groups offering hundreds of classes in the UK alone. My wife took Tom to one such class when he was just a few months old, having heard about it from another mum, Sam, who'd read about it on the National Child Trust's (NCT) website. Her son, another Tom, was born six months before ours and had just about mastered the signs for milk and food, which is all you really need to survive at his age. More importantly, Sam told the group that she and Tom both loved the class itself, and that really got everyone's attention. When mums discover a new fun, cheap and healthy thing to do with their babies, the news spreads like wildfire.
盡管如此，今天單單是在英國，就有著多不勝數的嬰兒肢體動作訓練小組，提供上百個課程。在另一位媽媽Sam那聽說了這個課程以後，我和妻子在Tom幾個月大的時候帶他去參加了一個這種班，這位媽媽也是在國家兒童信托網上得知此事的。她的兒子也叫Tom，比我們的兒子早出生6個月，才掌握了牛奶和食物的肢體動作，這在他的年齡也隻能達到這個程度了。更重要的是，Sam告訴小組說，她和 Tomdouxiaizhegekecheng，zhezheshiyinqisuoyourendezhuyi。dangmamamenfaxianyigenengyuzijideyingeryiqiwanchengdexinlequ，tahuafeibudaerqiejiankangdeshihou，zhexiaoxibianxiangyehuoyiyangmanyankaiqu。
The first time round, however, baby signing didn't work for us. We all needed to find our feet before our hands. In fact, despite our good intentions, no one in our NCT group had stuck with the signing. It might make things easier in the long run, but at a time when you're trying to get your head round suddenly keeping another human alive it's hard to prioritise. But after 16 non-communicative months I felt it was time to try again, so I took him along to a local baby sign class ran by TinyTalk, which claims to be "the biggest and best baby-signing organisation in the UK, Ireland and Australia".
但是剛去那會兒，嬰兒肢體動作對我們並不管用。在使用手勢前，我們都找不到北。實際上，除了我們想學好的意願外，我們的NCT小xiao組zu裏li還hai沒mei有you哪na個ge人ren不bu被bei肢zhi體ti動dong作zuo難nan住zhu。可ke能neng時shi間jian長chang了le，事shi情qing就jiu會hui變bian得de容rong易yi一yi些xie吧ba，但dan是shi當dang你ni在zai突tu然ran轉zhuan頭tou時shi，同tong時shi讓rang別bie人ren保bao持chi注zhu意yi，這zhe是shi很hen難nan優you化hua的de。但dan是shi在zai經jing曆li了le16個的“無法溝通”之月後，我覺得是時候再試試看了，所以我把Tom帶到一家TinyTalk旗下的嬰兒肢體動作學習班，它自稱是“英國、愛爾蘭和澳大利亞最好的嬰兒肢體動作訓練機構”。
There wasn't a lot of focus on vocabulary or grammar. Instead there were colourful mats to sit on, colourful books to look at, colourful toys to play with and a cuddly monkey to ape. Eight babies were herded by eight parents in the general direction of our teacher, Lisa Peycke, herself a mum of two, who spoke, sang and signed to us in a manner that was admirably patient.
訓xun練lian課ke並bing沒mei有you過guo多duo注zhu重zhong詞ci彙hui量liang和he語yu法fa的de學xue習xi。取qu而er代dai之zhi的de是shi五wu顏yan六liu色se的de墊dian子zi供gong我wo們men坐zuo，五wu顏yan六liu色se的de書shu供gong我wo們men閱yue讀du，五wu顏yan六liu色se的de玩wan具ju供gong孩hai子zi玩wan耍shua，還hai有you一yi個ge柔rou軟ruan的de玩wan具ju猴hou子zi供gong孩hai子zi模mo仿fang。六liu對dui父fu母mu把ba六liu個ge嬰ying兒er聚ju在zai一yi起qi，麵mian向xiang老lao師shi的de方fang向xiang。老lao師shi叫jiao做zuoLisa Peycke，她自己也是兩個孩子的媽媽，她用耐心的態度為我們唱歌，做動作。
With a degree in linguistics from Bangor University, Lisa had left a job in HR to become a signing instructor soon after becoming a mother. It was, she says, the perfect job, especially since her own kids have taken to signing so well. Her eldest had 40 signs at his disposal at 13 months and her youngest signed her first word, milk, at just five months. Those are impressive stats.
在班戈大學持有語言學學位的Lisa，在(zai)成(cheng)為(wei)母(mu)親(qin)不(bu)久(jiu)後(hou)，便(bian)放(fang)棄(qi)了(le)一(yi)份(fen)人(ren)力(li)資(zi)源(yuan)的(de)工(gong)作(zuo)，成(cheng)為(wei)肢(zhi)體(ti)動(dong)作(zuo)指(zhi)導(dao)師(shi)。她(ta)說(shuo)，這(zhe)是(shi)一(yi)份(fen)完(wan)美(mei)的(de)工(gong)作(zuo)，特(te)別(bie)是(shi)當(dang)她(ta)自(zi)己(ji)的(de)孩(hai)子(zi)開(kai)始(shi)把(ba)肢(zhi)體(ti)語(yu)言(yan)學(xue)得(de)很(hen)好(hao)的(de)時(shi)候(hou)。她(ta)的(de)大(da)兒(er)子(zi)用(yong)這(zhe)種(zhong)方(fang)法(fa)在(zai)13個月以來掌握了40個動作，她的小兒子5個月以來學會了他的第一個肢體語言，牛奶。這些開頭都很激動人心。
At first glance hers was much like many of the other parent-and-baby classes we've attended, where we're encouraged to sing songs, clap hands, listen to stories and gossip. Tom seemed to enjoy himself and so we did too. At Lisa's class, for the first time in his short life, he was the oldest child in the room and seemed to revel in this role, sitting silently like a village elder for 40 minutes before eventually cracking when some biscuits were brought out.
第一眼看去，她的課跟很多我們所參加的家長-嬰兒的課大體上都差不多，在那兒，老師鼓勵我們唱歌，拍手，聽故事和閑聊。看上去Tom玩得很高興，所以我們也跟著高興。在Lisa的課上，Tom在他短小的生命中第一次成為教室裏最大的孩子，並且似乎對此陶醉起來，安靜地在坐了40分鍾，猶如村子裏的長者一般，直到發餅幹的時候他終於把持不住了。
The signing aspect of the class was underplayed and far from overwhelming. Lisa signed throughout the songs and stories, we tried to join in, and the babies watched each other. But by the end of the hour I found I had learnt at least half a dozen signs, more than enough to get me going with Tom back at home. I left impressed. I've always been suspicious of baby education, of teaching them the front crawl at six weeks or Mozart in the womb, but this was different, mainly because it was really aimed at the parents.
課程中教肢體動作的方麵並不那麼充分，遠不是主要部分。在唱歌和講故事的全程，Lisa都(dou)在(zai)做(zuo)動(dong)作(zuo)，我(wo)們(men)便(bian)試(shi)圖(tu)加(jia)入(ru)進(jin)去(qu)，嬰(ying)兒(er)們(men)就(jiu)彼(bi)此(ci)大(da)眼(yan)對(dui)小(xiao)眼(yan)。然(ran)而(er)要(yao)結(jie)束(shu)的(de)時(shi)候(hou)，我(wo)已(yi)經(jing)學(xue)了(le)至(zhi)少(shao)半(ban)打(da)肢(zhi)體(ti)動(dong)作(zuo)，足(zu)夠(gou)讓(rang)我(wo)在(zai)回(hui)家(jia)後(hou)跟(gen)Tomjiaoliule。linzoushi，wodeyinxianghenshenke。woyizhidouduiyingerjiaoyuxincunyilv，duiyuzaitamenliugeyuedashijiaotamenziyouyong，dangtamenhaizaimamaduzilishigeitamenfangmozhatedeyinleerxincunhuaiyi。danshizhecibuyiyang，hendachengdushangshiyinweizhegekeshizhenduifumude。
The idea is that I will now use the signs I've learnt every time they're relevant to Tom. Every time I put him down for a nap I'll do the sign for sleep, while also slowly and deliberately saying the word. Eventually, in theory, Tom will connect the ideas and not only recognise the sign but make it himself if he feels sleepy. And because I will have deliberately used the word "sleep" each time, he will, in time, start copying that, too.
辦法是這樣的，隻要現在的每次情況和Tomyouguan，wodoukeyiyongshangxueguodezhitidongzuo。meiciwobatafangzaichuangshangshuiwujiaoshi，bianhuizuochushuijiaodedongzuo，bingqietongshiyouyishidihuanmanshuochushuijiaozhegedanci。zuizhong，conglilunshanglaijiang，Tom將(jiang)把(ba)動(dong)作(zuo)和(he)觀(guan)念(nian)聯(lian)係(xi)起(qi)來(lai)，他(ta)不(bu)僅(jin)隻(zhi)會(hui)識(shi)別(bie)動(dong)作(zuo)，還(hai)會(hui)在(zai)自(zi)己(ji)困(kun)的(de)時(shi)候(hou)做(zuo)出(chu)這(zhe)個(ge)動(dong)作(zuo)。並(bing)且(qie)由(you)於(yu)我(wo)每(mei)次(ci)都(dou)會(hui)刻(ke)意(yi)地(di)說(shuo)出(chu)睡(shui)覺(jiao)這(zhe)個(ge)詞(ci)，慢(man)慢(man)地(di)，他(ta)也(ye)會(hui)模(mo)仿(fang)著(zhe)說(shuo)。
As well as the communication aspect, those who promote baby signing report huge benefits for everyone involved, including larger expressive and receptive spoken language vocabularies, more advanced mental development, a reduction in problematic behaviour and improved parent-child relationships. To those who think signing might slow down speaking, they say the opposite occurs: encouraging sign language empowers babies to focus the topic and context of conversation and ultimately makes them more interested in words. There's even research indicating that simply pointing at things aids the process of object naming and language development, so I'm now telling anyone I meet that my son is really rather advanced.
在(zai)交(jiao)流(liu)方(fang)麵(mian)，那(na)些(xie)支(zhi)持(chi)嬰(ying)兒(er)肢(zhi)體(ti)動(dong)作(zuo)學(xue)習(xi)的(de)人(ren)對(dui)相(xiang)關(guan)的(de)每(mei)個(ge)人(ren)宣(xuan)稱(cheng)其(qi)巨(ju)大(da)的(de)好(hao)處(chu)，包(bao)括(kuo)可(ke)以(yi)讓(rang)嬰(ying)幼(you)兒(er)無(wu)論(lun)在(zai)表(biao)達(da)上(shang)，還(hai)是(shi)接(jie)收(shou)上(shang)，都(dou)能(neng)掌(zhang)握(wo)更(geng)大(da)的(de)詞(ci)彙(hui)量(liang)，讓(rang)他(ta)們(men)心(xin)智(zhi)進(jin)步(bu)，讓(rang)他(ta)們(men)的(de)“問題行為”jianshao，binggaishanfumuhehaizizhijiandeguanxi。yaoduinaxierenweizhitidongzuokenenghuijianmanshuohuanenglifazhanderensuoshuodeshi，qishizhenengchanshengyuzhisuoxiangxiangfandexiaoguo：鼓(gu)勵(li)肢(zhi)體(ti)語(yu)言(yan)會(hui)讓(rang)嬰(ying)兒(er)專(zhuan)注(zhu)於(yu)談(tan)話(hua)的(de)主(zhu)題(ti)和(he)語(yu)境(jing)，並(bing)最(zui)終(zhong)促(cu)使(shi)他(ta)們(men)對(dui)單(dan)詞(ci)更(geng)感(gan)興(xing)趣(qu)。甚(shen)至(zhi)已(yi)有(you)研(yan)究(jiu)表(biao)明(ming)，簡(jian)單(dan)地(di)用(yong)手(shou)指(zhi)物(wu)體(ti)能(neng)加(jia)快(kuai)嬰(ying)兒(er)在(zai)定(ding)義(yi)物(wu)體(ti)過(guo)程(cheng)中(zhong)的(de)發(fa)展(zhan)和(he)語(yu)言(yan)的(de)發(fa)展(zhan)，所(suo)以(yi)現(xian)在(zai)我(wo)要(yao)告(gao)訴(su)任(ren)何(he)我(wo)所(suo)碰(peng)見(jian)的(de)人(ren)，我(wo)的(de)兒(er)子(zi)取(qu)得(de)了(le)相(xiang)當(dang)大(da)的(de)進(jin)步(bu)。
Whether or not any of this rubs off on Tom we'll have to see. But instinctively it feels good to be trying to connect with him. Any sort of focused interaction must be a good thing. Having said that, I have to admit feeling a little embarrassed in the class itself, memories of my French oral flooding back as I, the only bloke in the room, tried to sing in tune and remember the actions to "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" (yes, I realise now the clue is in the title).
此事是否會對Tom產生影響，我們還得拭目以待。但是嚐試著和Tom 聯(lian)係(xi)起(qi)來(lai)，讓(rang)我(wo)本(ben)能(neng)地(di)感(gan)覺(jiao)很(hen)好(hao)。任(ren)何(he)形(xing)式(shi)的(de)互(hu)動(dong)都(dou)很(hen)好(hao)。在(zai)課(ke)程(cheng)中(zhong)，當(dang)我(wo)說(shuo)了(le)我(wo)承(cheng)認(ren)自(zi)己(ji)感(gan)到(dao)有(you)些(xie)尷(gan)尬(ga)以(yi)後(hou)，作(zuo)為(wei)教(jiao)室(shi)裏(li)唯(wei)一(yi)一(yi)個(ge)男(nan)性(xing)，在(zai)我(wo)試(shi)著(zhe)順(shun)著(zhe)曲(qu)調(tiao)唱(chang)歌(ge)，並(bing)且(qie)記(ji)住(zhu)“頭，肩，膝蓋，腳趾”對應的動作時，以前法語口試的記憶在我腦海中湧現出來。（是的，我現在才意識到，當時口試的提示就在題目中）。
Luckily, if you can't overcome your inhibitions, there are plenty of other more private baby sign options. After our second lesson I bought myself the TinyTalk Let's Sign! DVD, one of several interactive introductions to the language currently available. There are also numerous signing demonstrations on YouTube, and if you watch CBeebies as, I like to reassure myself, all parents do at least once a day, you'll be familiar with the work of one Justin Fletcher. Justin is the very soul of CBeebies, the star of the genuinely amusing Gigglebiz (Arthur Sleep, anyone?) and, most importantly, the presenter of Something Special. In this Bafta-winning show he takes kids with disabilities and learning difficulties on gentle adventures around the country, speaking to the children on screen and at home using a system called Makaton that mixes speech, signing and graphic symbols. As children grow more competent and confident with speech, the signs and symbols are gradually phased out, in just the same way that baby signing slowly gives way to baby talking.
所幸的是，如果你無法克服拘謹，還有很多其他可供你私下學習嬰兒肢體動作的方案。第二個課程結束後，我買了一張TinyTalk《讓我們一起做動作》的DVD，這是近期你可以找到的若幹互動語言入門材料的其中之一。同樣地，優酷網上也有許多肢體動作示範，你可以在上麵看CBeebies，就像我一樣，看這個讓自己安心，所有父母每天至少得做一次，你就會熟悉Justin Fletcher的作品。Justin是CBeebies的靈魂人物，也是真正好玩的Gigglebiz（亞瑟睡覺了，還有人在嗎？）中的明星，而且最重要的是，他是“來點特別”節目的主持人。在這個Bafta-winning秀裏，他帶一些殘疾的和有學習障礙的孩子在全國範圍內進行溫和地冒險，在屏幕上和這些孩子說話，在家裏使用一個叫做Mataton的de係xi統tong，把ba言yan語yu，動dong作zuo，圖tu片pian符fu號hao揉rou和he在zai一yi起qi。當dang孩hai子zi在zai談tan話hua中zhong變bian得de越yue來lai越yue勝sheng任ren和he自zi信xin時shi，這zhe些xie動dong作zuo和he符fu號hao逐zhu漸jian被bei取qu消xiao，根gen據ju同tong樣yang的de方fang式shi，嬰ying兒er的de肢zhi體ti語yu言yan逐zhu漸jian地di讓rang位wei給gei言yan語yu。
I'm determined to continue with baby sign language, inspired by both Lisa and Justin. Neither came from a signing background and both managed to learn well over 100 signs in a matter of days. More importantly, they make signing look easy, not ridiculous. If they can do it, if Lisa's daughter could do it at five months, then I can do it, too.
在Lisa和Jjustin兩個人的啟發下，我決意繼續學習嬰兒的肢體語言。他們都沒有肢體動作學習背景，但都掌握了超過100種動作，學會是遲早的事，隻在乎時間長短。更重要的是，他們讓動作看上去簡單而不可笑。如果他們可以做到，Lisa5個月大的女兒可以做到，我也可以做到。
After just a couple of weeks of practice, Tom managed to sign his first word. Or at least I think he did. When I slowly asked him if he was sleepy, he certainly raised his hands to the side of the cheek as if to copy my action, and I was thrilled, even if it might just have been another coincidence. We're getting there. In the short term I'm hoping we'll help each other get to the elementary level of baby signing in a few months, because it's not just him I want to have words with. Tom's going to become an older brother at Christmas, and baby signing could just be how our family of four first gets to know each other. It'll hopefully be our helping hand, our secret language, our way of telling each other if we're a bit hot.
在幾周的練習後，Tom學xue會hui用yong動dong作zuo表biao達da他ta的de第di一yi個ge詞ci。或huo者zhe隻zhi是shi我wo自zi己ji認ren為wei他ta學xue會hui了le。當dang我wo慢man慢man地di問wen他ta是shi否fou困kun了le時shi，他ta肯ken定ding地di舉ju止zhi雙shuang手shou，放fang在zai臉lian頰jia的de一yi側ce，好hao像xiang是shi在zai重zhong複fu我wo的de動dong作zuo，於yu是shi我wo很hen興xing奮fen，就jiu算suan這zhe隻zhi是shi另ling一yi個ge巧qiao合he，我wo也ye很hen興xing奮fen，至zhi少shao我wo們men正zheng在zai往wang目mu標biao發fa展zhan。短duan期qi內nei，我wo希xi望wang我wo們men能neng幫bang助zhu彼bi此ci在zai幾ji個ge月yue內nei學xue會hui初chu級ji的de嬰ying兒er肢zhi體ti動dong作zuo，因yin為wei我wo隻zhi是shi想xiang和he他ta說shuo話hua。在zai聖sheng誕dan節jie，Tomjiuyaodanggegele，yingerzhitidongzuozhengshiwomensikouzhijialejiebicidefangfa。xiwangtanengzhuwomenyili，chengweiwomendemimiyuyan，ruguowomenrele，womenkeyiyongzhezhongfangshigaosubici。
PS:
1. 本文摘自 Alex Horne The Observer, Sunday 10 October 2010 Article history
2. Alex Horne is a comedian and writer. He has just released The Horne Section, a CD of comedy, jazz and poetry (alexhorne.com)
Alex是一名喜劇演員和作家。他剛發行了了名為Horne Section的包括喜劇，爵士及詩歌的CD。
