You hear English, and your brain turns it into your own language. Then you answer, and your brain turns it back. It works, but it is slow. Here is how to make the trip shorter.
Why you translate
You translate because it feels safe. Your first language is a place where you know every word. English is still a new room.
Safe, but slow.
Start with things, not sentences
Look at an object and say the English word. Do not think of your language. Just the thing and the word.
Cup. Table. Window. Rain.
This builds a direct road, with no stop in the middle.
Use pictures, not lists
When you learn a new word, draw a small picture or imagine a scene. A picture connects to the word without your language.
Borrow: someone gives you a pen, and you give it back.
Think in short chunks
Do not try to think in long sentences. Use small chunks that you know well.
I am tired. It is cold. I need water.
Give yourself time
When you feel the translation start, pause. Say the English word you know. Then continue.
Do not rush. A slow English sentence is still English.
Words to remember
- translate — to change words from one language to another
- chunk — a small group of words used together
- road — a way from one place to another
- pause — to stop for a moment
Questions & answers
Q: Is translating always bad?
No. It is useful for a new, difficult word. Just do not translate every word in every sentence.
Q: How long does it take to stop?
Months, not days. It gets faster as you meet the same words again.
Q: Should I think in English all day?
Start with ten minutes. Thinking in English for a whole day is very tiring at first.
Q: What if I do not know a word in English?
Describe it with words you know. "The thing you use to cut paper" works well.
Q: Does reading help?
Yes. Reading simple English builds the direct road between the word and its meaning.