EZCNN 易英网

Dyscalculia: Blind to Numbers ２＋３≠５？

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

Imagine not being able to properly tell time, make change, or do simple calculations. The detrimental effect on everyday life would be significant. This is exactly what happens to people who suffer from dyscalculia, a learning disability affecting mathematical comprehension.

想象一下你无法正确辨别时间、找零钱或做些简单的计算，这些对日常生活的不利影响将至深且巨。患有计算障碍的人就是会发生这些事，计算障碍是一种会影响数学理解能力的学习障碍。

While not as well known as other learning disabilities, dyscalculia occurs in an estimated 5 percent of the population. Dyscalculia manifests itself as an inability to visualize situations involving numbers and difficulties in sequencing information. In severe cases, dyscalculic people may not be able to do simple arithmetic, tell the date, or go shopping. Initial evidence suggests that the underlying causes are genetic. As with other learning disabilities, dyscalculia does not indicate lower intelligence.

虽然不像其他学习障碍那么广为人知，患有计算障碍的人估计也占了总人口的百分之五。计算障碍的症状是无法在脑海中描绘出数字，及在排序信息方面的能力有问题。严重的情况是，计算障碍患者可能无法做简单的运算、看日期或买东西。初步的证据显示主要的成因跟遗传有关。和患有其他学习障碍一样，患有计算障碍不代表智商就比较低。

As educators and parents become increasingly aware of dyscalculia, many schools are starting to offer special education programs. These programs focus on teaching visualization techniques and other learning strategies that can improve the input of information. When solving math problems, for example, students learn to draw the situation or read the problem out loud.

因为教育学家和家长们已逐渐意识到计算障碍这个问题，许多学校于是开始提供特殊教育课程。这些课程着重在教导可视化技巧和其他可以增进信息吸收的学习策略。例如解答数学题目时，学生会学着画出题目的情境或大声地念出题目来。

While not everyone is born to be a mathematician, the ability to deal with numbers is crucial to thriving in modern society. With awareness of learning disabilities increasing, those with dyscalculia can count themselves lucky.

并非所有人与生俱来就注定是个数学家，然而要在现代的社会中功成名就，处理数字的能力是至关重要的。随着人们对学习障碍意识的提高，那些计算障碍患者可以觉得庆幸了。

Vocabulary

单词发音

dyscalculia（脑伤或疾病所致的）计算困难，计算障碍

detrimental [dɛtrəˋmɛnt!] adj. 有害的；不利的 causing damage or harm; injurious

manifest [ˋmænə͵fɛst] v. 表明，显示，表露

sequence [ˋsikwəns] v. 按顺序排列 to organize or arrange in a sequence

arithmetic [əˋrɪθmətɪk] n. 算术，计算

underlying [͵ʌndɚˋlaɪɪŋ] adj. 基本的，根本的 basic; fundamental

visualization [͵vɪʒʊəlaɪˋzeʃən] n. 形象；形象化

mathematician [͵mæθəməˋtɪʃən] n. 数学家; 数学教师

crucial [ˋkruʃəl] adj. 决定性的，重要的

thriving [`ɵraɪvɪŋ] adj. 欣欣向荣的﹐ 兴旺发达的

Sentence of the Day

People with dyscalculia can’t count on their ability to solve number problems easily.

计算障碍患者不能靠自己的能力轻而易举地解决数字问题。

课文讲解

Amber and Simon, two roommates who share an apartment, are calculating the monthly bills.  安柏和赛门是合租一栋公寓的室友，正在算他们这个月的账单。

A: Oh, it’s the end of the month again. I just hate working out the bills! All those numbers, all that math.

喔，又到了月底。我实在很讨厌算这些账单！全都是那些数字及算术。

S: I know, I know, but it’s a necessary evil. You probably just have a math phobia. It’s not that difficult.

我知道，我知道，但这是必要之恶。你也许只是有数学恐惧症，算那些账单并没有那么难。

A: It’s not that. I have dyscalculia. I have a hard time with quantitative and spatial information. That’s why I dread doing the bills.

不是这样子的，我有计算障碍症。我不太能处理关于数量及空间方面的信息，这就是为什么我怕算账单。

S: Oh. So that’s why you always forget the score when we’re watching a basketball game. But how did you manage to whiz through university? You aced your final year.

喔，所以那就是为什么我们看篮球赛时你总是忘了比数的原因。但你又是怎么能轻松念完大学的呢？你大四那年的成绩还是优等呢。

A: Well, it took a lot of hard work. I had to spend extra time learning mathematical facts by rote.

嗯，那可是花了我不少功夫。我得花额外的时间，用死背的方法学数学。

S: That sounds like a real uphill battle. You must have been scolded all the time for making math mistakes when you were a kid.

听起来挺像是一项艰巨的任务。你小时候一定老是因算错数学而被骂吧！

A: Yeah. Elementary school was a difficult time for me, but the university was really supportive. They allowed me to take my math exams one-on-one with a teacher. That way I could read the problems out loud. But enough chitchat. How much were the utilities this month?

没错。小学那段时间很难熬，但大学时学校就很帮忙了。校方允许我考数学时可以有一位老师一对一应考。那样的话，我就可以大声地把题目念出来。好了扯得够多了，这个月的水电费、瓦斯费总共多少？

S: Hey, I have an idea. I’ll do the bills and you can take care of the mess in the kitchen!

嘿，我有个主意。我来算账单，那你就负责清理一团乱的厨房吧！

－by Darshan Tyler

Vocabulary

单词发音

work out 计算; 解决 to accomplish by work or effort

a necessary evil 不可避免的恶事[弊害] something that you do not like but which you know must exist or happen

phobia [ˋfobɪə] n. 恐惧症；惧怕

spatial [ˋspeʃəl] adj. 空间的﹐关于空间的

dread [drɛd] v. 惧怕；担心 to fear greatly

whiz [hwɪz] through 飕飕掠过；急驰 to work one's way through something quickly

ace [es] v.【美﹐非正式】考得好﹐写得好 to perform extremely well or score very highly in (an examination, etc.)

by rote 熟记﹐ 死记地 [of learning or memorizing] done as habit and without thinking

uphill battle 一场艰苦的战斗；场硬仗 a hard struggle

scold [skold] v. 骂，叱责

chitchat [ˋtʃɪt͵tʃæt] n. 闲谈；闲话

utility (public utility) [juˋtɪlətɪ] n. 公用事业〈如煤气﹑电力等〉a private business organization, subject to governmental regulation, that provides an essential commodity or service, such as water, electricity, transportation, or communication, to the public

Sentence of the Day

Amber really had to keep her nose to the grindstone to pass mathematics.

为了通过数学考试，安柏得埋头苦读。