Language and literacy are among mankind’s greatest inventions. Evolving and even dying over the course of human history, languages are a reflection of our cultural and societal attitudes. Today, surrounded by social media, television, movies, billboards, and, of course, books, the ability to read and write is crucial to forming an identity and expressing one’s feelings.

语言和读写能力是人类最伟大的发明。人类历史在演变甚至是灭绝的过程中，语言都是对我们的文化和社会态度的反应。时至今日，当我们被社会传媒、电视、电影、广告牌当然还有书本包围时，读写能力对于我们形成一种特征和表达自己的感受是至关重要的。


Most humans acquire language in early childhood and speak fluently when they are about three years old, but our continued relationship with language gives shape and meaning to our lives. Here are 5 ways to become a better reader.

大多数人都是在幼儿的时候学习语言然后在三岁的时候就能很流利地说话了，但我们对语言进一步的学习将会对我们的生活产生很大的影响，具有深远的意义。下面五种方法可以教你成为一名更好的读者。

1. Take it slow.

放慢速度

Many readers feel that they read too slowly, especially compared with others, but the truth is that the faster you read, the less likely you are to comprehend fully what you’re reading. The best readers are flexible—slowing down when needed, especially if weighty concepts or unknown words are grouped closely together—and always have a dictionary at hand.

许多读者觉得他们读得太慢了，特别是相对于其他人而言，但是事实上你读得越快，你就越可能不能完全理解你读的内容。最好的读者是灵活多变的——需要时他们就读得慢，特别是当一些繁琐的概念或者是不认识的字都混在一起时，他们往往都读得慢——而且常常会带一本字典在身边。

If you get to the end of a paragraph and realize you haven’t absorbed any of the information, do not hesitate to re-read the passage. Reading is a lifelong process: learning to read closely and slowly will help you become faster over time without missing anything.

如果你快读完一段话了却不知道大概的意思，不要犹豫，再 去重新读一遍。阅读是一个终身的过程：尝试着深入且慢速地阅读将会帮助你理解得更快而且不会漏下任何的内容。

2. Read aloud.

大声朗读

When humans first began reading written words, it was unusual to read in silence. Though generally inappropriate for commuters or for late-night adventurers, reading out loud is one of the best ways to improve your reading ability.

当人类第一次阅读书面文字时，默读是不常见的。虽然这不适合上班族或者是夜猫子，但大声朗读确实是提高你阅读能力最好的方法之一。

You may feel silly reading to your cat (or to no one at all), but once you get into the rhythm of the author’s voice, you will begin to read more accurately and with better vocal expression. Try listening to the author reading their own work—you’ll be surprised to find how clearly it comes through on the page.

你可能觉得对着你的猫阅读有点傻（或者是一个人也没有），但是一旦你进入了作者的声音的韵律中去，你将会开始阅读得更加准确，而且会有更好的声音表现力。试着听听作者阅读他们自己的文章——你会惊讶地发现，书上的文字被这样读出来是多么地清晰。

3. Feel it.

感受它

Can you remember the first piece of writing that transported you to another world? One of the most powerful moments in a young, fluent reader’s life is learning to enter into the lives of imagined heroes and heroines.

你还记得你第一次写字的情景吗，那个将你带到了另一个世界的情景。在一个青春洋溢、表达顺畅的读者的生命中，最重要的时刻之一就是学习进入想象中的主角的生活中。

Subtleties of language and perspective become potent clues to deeper underlying meanings, and are easy to miss for even the most seasoned readers. As you read, let the language inform your pace, give pause to important gestures and dialogue, and allow striking ideas to simmer. In no time, you’ll be appreciating novels like fine wine.

语言和视角之间微妙的关系，是具有更深意义内涵的强有力的线索，而且即使对于最有经验的读者来说都是很容易忽视的。当你阅读时，让语言支配你的步调，在重要的手势和对话时停顿，对于那些难理解的想法要给予足够的时间思考。过不了多久，你就会像品赏美酒那样去喜欢小说了。