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Tom的de錯cuo。我wo很hen肯ken定ding他ta不bu是shi不bu想xiang與yu我wo交jiao談tan，而er是shi他ta不bu知zhi道dao如ru何he交jiao談tan，因yin為wei他ta不bu會hui說shuo我wo的de語yu言yan。不bu幸xing的de是shi，他ta也ye不bu會hui說shuo其qi他ta任ren何he一yi種zhong語yu言yan。如ru果guo他ta會hui的de話hua，到dao現xian在zai為wei止zhi，我wo敢gan肯ken定ding我wo門men已yi經jing找zhao到dao一yi些xie方fang式shi來lai交jiao流liu了le，哪na怕pa是shi用yong南nan非fei的de咂za舌she音yin。如ru果guo他ta是shi一yi隻zhi南nan非fei的de鸚ying鵡wu，我wo們men或huo許xu已yi經jing有you所suo進jin展zhan了le；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Tomxianzaikeyiwanchengyixieshi。tanengcongshafashanghuaxialai，jianqiwandou，bingqienengjidongdizhizherenhenengxiyintanamingliangdelanyanqiudedongxi。jinguanzhexiejiandandeyidonghaibunengfahuijutizuoyong，danzhezhongpeihebiaomingletayijingjibukedaidiyaoyurenjiaoliule，ruguowozhidaoruhegulitajiuhaole。kanlai，nagemanbanpaiderenshiwocaidui。
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，Tomhaishangweiyouyishidizhangwoyizhongzhenduirenhetebieshiwudezhitidongzuo，danshitawuxiuzhidiyongshouzhiwuti，huishouzaijian，bingzaijidongdeshihoupaishou。suoyi，yexutadezhitidongzuobitadeyuyanjinzhandegengkuai。yexushoushidebangzhu，keyijiakuaiwomenmanyidegoutong。
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 Tom都dou喜xi愛ai這zhe個ge課ke程cheng，這zhe著zhe實shi引yin起qi所suo有you人ren的de注zhu意yi。當dang媽ma媽ma們men發fa現xian一yi個ge能neng與yu自zi己ji的de嬰ying兒er一yi起qi完wan成cheng的de新xin樂le趣qu，它ta花hua費fei不bu大da而er且qie健jian康kang的de時shi候hou，這zhe消xiao息xi便bian像xiang野ye火huo一yi樣yang蔓man延yan開kai去qu。
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NCTxiaozulihaimeiyounagerenbubeizhitidongzuonanzhu。kenengshijianchangle，shiqingjiuhuibianderongyiyixieba，danshidangnizaituranzhuantoushi，tongshirangbierenbaochizhuyi，zheshihennanyouhuade。danshizaijinglile16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(zuo)Lisa 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，zaichengweimuqinbujiuhou，bianfangqileyifenrenliziyuandegongzuo，chengweizhitidongzuozhidaoshi。tashuo，zheshiyifenwanmeidegongzuo，tebieshidangtazijidehaizikaishibazhitiyuyanxuedehenhaodeshihou。tadedaerziyongzhezhongfangfazai13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，Lisadouzaizuodongzuo，womenbianshitujiarujinqu，yingermenjiubicidayanduixiaoyan。raneryaojieshudeshihou，woyijingxuelezhishaobandazhitidongzuo，zugourangwozaihuijiahougenTom交(jiao)流(liu)了(le)。臨(lin)走(zou)時(shi)，我(wo)的(de)印(yin)象(xiang)很(hen)深(shen)刻(ke)。我(wo)一(yi)直(zhi)都(dou)對(dui)嬰(ying)兒(er)教(jiao)育(yu)心(xin)存(cun)疑(yi)慮(lv)，對(dui)於(yu)在(zai)他(ta)們(men)六(liu)個(ge)月(yue)大(da)時(shi)教(jiao)他(ta)們(men)自(zi)由(you)泳(yong)，當(dang)他(ta)們(men)還(hai)在(zai)媽(ma)媽(ma)肚(du)子(zi)裏(li)時(shi)給(gei)他(ta)們(men)放(fang)莫(mo)紮(zha)特(te)的(de)音(yin)樂(le)而(er)心(xin)存(cun)懷(huai)疑(yi)。但(dan)是(shi)這(zhe)次(ci)不(bu)一(yi)樣(yang)，很(hen)大(da)程(cheng)度(du)上(shang)是(shi)因(yin)為(wei)這(zhe)個(ge)課(ke)是(shi)針(zhen)對(dui)父(fu)母(mu)的(de)。
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Tom有you關guan，我wo都dou可ke以yi用yong上shang學xue過guo的de肢zhi體ti動dong作zuo。每mei次ci我wo把ba他ta放fang在zai床chuang上shang睡shui午wu覺jiao時shi，便bian會hui做zuo出chu睡shui覺jiao的de動dong作zuo，並bing且qie同tong時shi有you意yi識shi地di緩huan慢man說shuo出chu睡shui覺jiao這zhe個ge單dan詞ci。最zui終zhong，從cong理li論lun上shang來lai講jiang，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”減jian少shao，並bing改gai善shan父fu母mu和he孩hai子zi之zhi間jian的de關guan係xi。要yao對dui那na些xie認ren為wei肢zhi體ti動dong作zuo可ke能neng會hui減jian慢man說shuo話hua能neng力li發fa展zhan的de人ren所suo說shuo的de是shi，其qi實shi這zhe能neng產chan生sheng與yu之zhi所suo想xiang相xiang反fan的de效xiao果guo：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，Tom就(jiu)要(yao)當(dang)哥(ge)哥(ge)了(le)，嬰(ying)兒(er)肢(zhi)體(ti)動(dong)作(zuo)正(zheng)是(shi)我(wo)們(men)四(si)口(kou)之(zhi)家(jia)了(le)解(jie)彼(bi)此(ci)的(de)方(fang)法(fa)。希(xi)望(wang)它(ta)能(neng)助(zhu)我(wo)們(men)一(yi)力(li)，成(cheng)為(wei)我(wo)們(men)的(de)秘(mi)密(mi)語(yu)言(yan)，如(ru)果(guo)我(wo)們(men)熱(re)了(le)，我(wo)們(men)可(ke)以(yi)用(yong)這(zhe)種(zhong)方(fang)式(shi)告(gao)訴(su)彼(bi)此(ci)。
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。
