You're trying to have a conversation. Someone says something to you. And before you can respond, your brain does this: it translates what they said into your native language, then translates your response back into the target language, then checks if it's grammatically correct, then—

And by the time you've done all of that, the moment has passed. The conversation has moved on. And you're left feeling slow, stuck, like you're always one step behind.

In this episode, we're talking about how to stop translating in your head — without forcing it. Why translation happens, why it's not actually a problem, and how to soften that reflex so you can start thinking in the language instead of about it.

You'll learn why translation is a natural bridge, not the enemy. What makes translation stick and what loosens it. How to build sensory associations so words mean something beyond their translation. Why encountering words in context creates pathways that bypass translation entirely. And how to give yourself permission to translate — for now — while training your brain to access the language more directly.

Translation isn't a failure. It's not a sign you're doing it wrong. The goal isn't to never translate. The goal is to stop needing to translate. And that happens when your brain has other ways to access meaning.

You can't force that shift. But you can create the conditions for it.

Want full transcripts, extended show notes, and bonus resources for every episode? Podcast Pro gives you the tools to soften the translation reflex and start thinking in your target language — naturally, without force.

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