学说英语

　　We thought we knew the English language, having even translated a whole book from English into Russian, when we were in Siberia. I learnt English in prison from a teach-yourself book, but had never heard a work of it spoken. Several years later when we were in London, we found we could not understand a single word, and nobody understood us. At first this was very amusing, and Vladimir Ilyrich joked about it. However, he soon got down to learning the language. We started going to all kinds of meetings, always standing in the front row and carefully studying the speaker's mouth. We went very often to Hyde Park where speakers addressed the passing crowds on different subjects. We were particularly keen on listening to one man, who spoke with an Irish accent which was easier for us to understand. We learnt a great deal by listening to spoken English.

　　我们以为自己是通晓英语的，因为我们在西伯利亚的时候，甚至把一本英文书全部翻译成了俄文。我是在监狱里从一本自学课本上学英语的，但是从来没听别人说过一句英语。现在我们来到了伦敦，却发现连一句话都听不懂，而谁也听不懂我们的话。起初这种情况让人觉得很有趣，弗拉基米尔·伊里奇也开起了玩笑。然而，他很快就开始认真地学起这种语言来。我们开始参加各种会议，总是站在前排，仔细琢磨说话人的嘴形。我们特别常去海德公园，在那儿演讲人就不同的话题向过路的人群发表演讲。我们尤其喜欢听一个人的演讲，他说话带爱尔兰口音，我们觉得更容易听懂。通过听别人讲英语，我们学到很多。

　　Afterwards, through an advertisement, Vladimir Ilyrich got in touch with two Englishmen who wanted to exchange lessons, and he began studying with them. He got to know the language quite well.

　　在这以后，通过一则广告，弗拉基米尔·伊里奇联系上了两个想要交换课程的英国人。于是，他跟着他们学起来。结果，他的英语学得相当不错。