《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》58 Mnemonics

　　Unit 58
Mnemonics¹
Mnemonics are memory tools for remembering information that is otherwise quite difficult to recall. A very simple example is the "30 days hath September" rhyme. The basic principle of mnemonics is to use as many of the best functions of your brain as possible to store information. Our brains evolved to code and interpret complex stimuli² such as images, colors, structures, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, positions, emotions and languages. We use these to make sophisticated models of the world we live in.
Using Your Whole Mind to Remember
By coding languages and numbers in striking images, you can reliably code both information and the structure of information. You can then easily recall these later by doing the following things: 1. Use positive, pleasant images. The brain often blocks out unpleasant ones. 2. Use vivid, colorful, sense-laden images -- these are easier to remember than drab ones. Remember that your mnemonic can contain sounds, smells, tastes, touch, movements and feelings as well as pictures. 3. Give your image three dimensions, movement and space to make it more vivid. 4. Exaggerate the size of important parts of the image. 5. Use humor! Funny or peculiar³ things are easier to remember than normal ones. 6. Symbols (red traffic lights, pointing fingers, road signs, etc.) can code quite complex messages quickly and effectively.
Designing Mnemonics: Imagination and Association
The two fundamental principles underlying⁴ the use of mnemonics are imagination, and association. You can use them the generate powerful mnemonic systems. Imagination is what you use to create and strengthen the associations needed to create effective mnemonics. Your imagination is what you use to create mnemonics that are potent⁵ for you. The more strongly you imagine and visualize⁶ a situation, the more effectively it will stick in your mind for later recall. The imagery you use in your mnemonics can be as violent, vivid, or sensual as you like, as long as it helps you to remember. Association is the method by which you link a thing to be remembered to way of remembering it. As an example, you might link the number 1 with a goldfish by visualizing⁷ a 1-shaped spear being used to spear it.
Foreign languages are the ideal subject area for the use of memory techniques. Learning vocabulary is often a matter of associating a meaningless collection of syllables⁸ with a word in your own language. Traditionally people have associated these words by repetition -- by saying the word in their own language and the foreign language time and time again. You can improve on this tedious way of learning by using mnemonics. For instance, you may use images to link a word in your own language with a word in a foreign language. English: grumpy -- Chinese: LaoSaoManFuDe Image: a grumpy woman groaning⁹ with irritation¹⁰.

1 mnemonics   

n.记忆术

参考例句：

• Mnemonics is important in learning English.记忆术对学英语很重要。
• Mnemonics are made up of letter to represent the operation code.助记码是由字母组成，以代表操作码。

2 stimuli   

n.刺激（物）

参考例句：

• It is necessary to curtail or alter normally coexisting stimuli.必需消除或改变正常时并存的刺激。
• My sweat glands also respond to emotional stimuli.我的汗腺对情绪刺激也能产生反应。

3 peculiar   

adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的

参考例句：

• He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
• He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

4 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

5 potent   

adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的

参考例句：

• The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
• We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。

6 visualize   

vt.使看得见，使具体化，想象，设想

参考例句：

• I remember meeting the man before but I can't visualize him.我记得以前见过那个人，但他的样子我想不起来了。
• She couldn't visualize flying through space.她无法想像在太空中飞行的景象。

7 visualizing   

肉眼观察

参考例句：

• Nevertheless, the Bohr model is still useful for visualizing the structure of an atom. 然而，玻尔模型仍有利于使原子结构形象化。
• Try to strengthen this energy field by visualizing the ball growing stronger. 通过想象能量球变得更强壮设法加强这能量场。

8 syllables   

n.音节( syllable的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a word with two syllables 双音节单词
• 'No. But I'll swear it was a name of two syllables.' “想不起。不过我可以发誓，它有两个音节。” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

9 groaning   

adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• She's always groaning on about how much she has to do. 她总抱怨自己干很多活儿。
• The wounded man lay there groaning, with no one to help him. 受伤者躺在那里呻吟着，无人救助。

10 irritation   

n.激怒，恼怒，生气

参考例句：

• He could not hide his irritation that he had not been invited.他无法掩饰因未被邀请而生的气恼。
• Barbicane said nothing,but his silence covered serious irritation.巴比康什么也不说，但是他的沉默里潜伏着阴郁的怒火。