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Deciphering the Instructions - The Language Barrier (of pictograms)

解读说明书——(象形图)语言障碍

The couple struggles to understand a particularly confusing step in the purely pictorial IKEA instruction manual. They might argue over the interpretation of an illustration, leading to a discussion about what each symbol or arrow means, possibly having to re-read or look ahead for clues.

情侣费力地理解宜家纯象形图说明书中一个特别令人困惑的步骤。他们可能会为了一个插图的解释而争论不休,讨论每个符号或箭头的含义,甚至可能需要反复阅读或提前查看下一步的图示以寻找线索。

对话

聆听并跟进对话

1
John (Male)
Okay, so we've got the side panels on, but this next step... I'm really scratching my head here.
好了,侧板我们都装好了,但下一步……我真是摸不着头脑。
2
Sarah (Female)
Let me see. Is that an arrow pointing *through* the wood? Or is it showing us where to drill a hole?
我看看。那是个箭头直接穿过木头吗?还是它在指示我们钻孔的位置?
3
John (Male)
Exactly! It looks like it's going straight through. But there's no pre-drilled hole there. And this little symbol next to it... a circle with a cross?
就是啊!看起来它直接穿过去了。但那里没有预钻的孔。它旁边那个小符号……一个带叉的圆圈?
4
Sarah (Female)
Usually, that means 'don't do this' or 'not applicable'. But then what IS applicable? Maybe we need to look ahead to the next page for context.
通常,那意味着“不要这样做”或“不适用”。但那到底什么是适用的呢?也许我们需要翻到下一页看看上下文。
5
John (Male)
Good idea. Let's flip the page... Ah, wait! Look at this detail here on step seven. It shows a different type of screw going into *that* same spot.
好主意。我们翻页……啊,等一下!看这里,第七步的这个细节。它显示了另一种螺丝要拧进同一个位置。
6
Sarah (Female)
So, the first illustration was a 'wrong way' example? That's so misleading! They should put a big 'X' over it or something.
所以,第一个插图是个“错误方式”的例子?那也太误导人了!他们应该在上面画个大大的“X”才对。
7
John (Male)
Tell me about it. IKEA instructions, always an adventure. So, we're definitely using the 'cam lock and bolt' here, not the long screw.
可不是嘛。宜家说明书,总是一场冒险。所以,我们这里肯定是用“偏心锁和螺栓”,而不是长螺丝。
8
Sarah (Female)
Right. Okay, that makes so much more sense. This pictogram language is a real test of our decoding skills, isn't it?
对。好吧,这样就说得通多了。这种象形文字真是对我们解读能力的一大考验,不是吗?

词汇

对话中的必备词汇和短语

scratching my head

An idiom meaning to be confused or puzzled about something, like trying to solve a difficult problem.

一个习语,意思是对某事感到困惑或不解,就像试图解决一个难题一样。

arrow

A straight line with a pointed end that shows direction, often used in diagrams or instructions to guide actions.

一条带有尖端以示方向的直线,常用于图表或说明中引导动作。

drill a hole

To use a tool called a drill to make a small opening in wood or another material, common in DIY tasks like furniture assembly.

使用称为钻头的工具在木头或其他材料上钻一个小孔,在家具组装等DIY任务中常见。

pre-drilled

Describes a hole that has already been made in advance with a drill, so you don't need to make it yourself.

描述一个已经提前用钻孔机钻好的孔,因此您无需自己钻孔。

symbol

A simple picture or sign that represents an idea or instruction, like in manuals where words are not used.

一个简单的图片或符号,代表一个想法或指示,比如在不使用文字的手册中。

misleading

Something that causes confusion or leads you to the wrong conclusion, often used when instructions are unclear.

引起混淆或导致错误结论的事物,通常在指示不明确时使用。

Tell me about it

An informal expression to strongly agree with someone and show you share their frustration or experience.

一种非正式表达,用来强烈同意某人,并显示你分享他们的挫败或经历。

pictogram

A visual symbol or picture that communicates information without words, like icons in IKEA instructions.

一种不使用文字传达信息的视觉符号或图片,例如IKEA说明书中的图标。

decoding

The process of figuring out or interpreting the meaning of something complex, like symbols or codes.

弄清楚或解释复杂事物的含义的过程,比如符号或代码。

关键句型

需要记住和练习的重要短语

I'm really scratching my head here.

This is an idiomatic expression using 'scratching my head' to show confusion. It's useful for everyday situations when you're puzzled, and the adverb 'really' adds emphasis. Use it casually with friends or partners.

这是一个习语表达,使用 'scratching my head' 来表示困惑。它在日常情况下你感到困惑时很有用,副词 'really' 增加了强调。与朋友或伴侣随意使用。

Is that an arrow pointing through the wood?

A yes/no question using 'is that' to seek clarification on a visual detail. The present continuous 'pointing' describes the action shown. Useful for describing diagrams or instructions in collaborative tasks.

使用 'is that' 的是非问句,用于寻求视觉细节的澄清。现在进行时 'pointing' 描述了显示的动作。在协作任务中描述图表或说明时有用。

Usually, that means 'don't do this' or 'not applicable'.

This sentence explains the meaning of a symbol with 'usually' for general cases and quotes for examples. 'Not applicable' is a common phrase meaning something doesn't apply. Great for interpreting signs or rules.

这个句子解释了一个符号的含义,使用“通常”表示一般情况,用引号表示例子。“不适用”是一个常见短语,意思是某事不适用。非常适合解释标志或规则。

Maybe we need to look ahead to the next page for context.

A suggestion starting with 'maybe' for possibility, using 'look ahead' meaning to check future parts. 'Context' refers to surrounding information for better understanding. Use this when instructions are unclear.

一个以'maybe'开头表示可能性的建议,使用'look ahead'意思是检查未来的部分。'Context'指的是用于更好理解的周围信息。在指示不清楚时使用这个。

That's so misleading!

An exclamation expressing frustration, with 'so' intensifying 'misleading' (causing confusion). Informal and emotional; use it to complain about confusing information like manuals or ads.

表达挫败感的感叹词,其中'so'加强'misleading'(引起混乱)的含义。非正式且情绪化;用于抱怨像手册或广告这样的令人困惑的信息。

Tell me about it.

A short idiomatic response to agree emphatically, often with sarcasm or shared annoyance. No grammar complexity, but very common in casual conversations to show empathy.

一种简短的习语回应,用以强烈表示同意,常带有讽刺或共同的烦恼。没有语法复杂性,但在随意对话中非常常见,用于表达共鸣。

This pictogram language is a real test of our decoding skills, isn't it?

A statement with a tag question 'isn't it?' to seek agreement. 'Real test' means a true challenge. Useful for discussing difficulties and involving the listener in reflective talks.

一个带有标签问题‘不是吗?’的陈述,用于寻求同意。‘真正考验’意味着真正的挑战。有助于讨论困难并让听众参与反思性对话。