How to Give Directions如何給人指路

徐晨曉

無(wú)論你是要告訴別人如何去你的家或指引陌生人去某個(gè)地方，你都應(yīng)該知道如何給他們指路。你要以他人最容易理解的方式去指路，你還必須與對(duì)方有效地溝通，選擇最合適的路線，以幫助人們順利到達(dá)目的地。

Guiding Them by Landmarks1 and Drive Times

通過地標(biāo)和時(shí)長(zhǎng)來(lái)指路

1. Picture yourself going along the route2 with them.

Most people follow directions best when theyre given in “route perspective3，” which focuses on describing what youll see along the way and the travel time between these landmarks. If you were in the car or walking alongside the person， think of how youd point out the route （“Turn right at the big church over here， and then well go that way for about five minutes...”） and use that to guide how you give the directions.

1. 想象自己和他們一起走這條路。

大多數(shù)人在“路線視角”指向時(shí)最容易找到方向。路線視角指向主要是描述沿途所看到的東西以及這些地標(biāo)之間所需的時(shí)長(zhǎng)。如果你和對(duì)方一起乘車，或者一起走，想想你要怎么指出路線（“在這座大教堂右轉(zhuǎn)，然后我們走大約五分鐘……”），然后用這種方式來(lái)指路。

2. Tell the person about important and hard-to-miss landmarks.

Landmarks will give the person an idea of the progress theyre making. Theyll also let the person know if theyre still on the path you advised them to take. So， for instance， “Go this way for a couple minutes until the old post office with the big metal dome4 is on your left； then turn left and go for about 5 minutes until you see a McDonalds...”

2. 告訴人們重要且不易錯(cuò)過的地標(biāo)。

地標(biāo)會(huì)使人了解他們目前的進(jìn)度，也會(huì)讓他們知道自己是否還在你給他們指的那條路上。因此，可以向這樣指路：“這樣走幾分鐘，直到在你的左邊看到有金屬大圓頂?shù)呐f郵局；然后左轉(zhuǎn)，走大約5分鐘，直到你看到一個(gè)麥當(dāng)勞……”

3. Specify5 whether something is on the left or right of the road.

Dont take for granted6 that the person knows what side of the road a turn， a landmark， or their destination will be on. To avoid getting the person lost， always specify which side of the street they need to either turn on or look for a landmark on.

3. 詳細(xì)說明有什么在道路的左邊或右邊。

不要想當(dāng)然地認(rèn)為對(duì)方知道拐彎、地標(biāo)或他們的目的地在路的哪一邊。為了避免讓人找不著北，要為他們指明他們需要在道路的哪一邊轉(zhuǎn)彎或?qū)ふ业貥?biāo)。

4. Provide travel time estimates7 for the whole trip and each component8 of it.

Specify the how much time the whole trip will take. In addition， specify how much time certain segments of the trip will take. This will give the person an idea of when they need to be ready to take a turn， etc. For example， “The whole trip takes about 10 minutes. Youll turn left here and go for about 3 minutes until...”

4. 告知整個(gè)路程和每段路程預(yù)計(jì)需要的時(shí)長(zhǎng)。

說清楚整個(gè)路程要花多少時(shí)間。另外，詳細(xì)說明其中某段路程要花費(fèi)的時(shí)間。這會(huì)讓人對(duì)什么時(shí)候需要轉(zhuǎn)彎等心中有數(shù)。例如：“整個(gè)行程大約需要10分鐘。你從這里向左拐然后走大約3分鐘，直到……”

Mapping Out Distances and Compass9 Directions

在地圖上標(biāo)出距離和方向

1. Create a mental map of the route， and share it.

Some people are better at reading maps than others， and these people tend to also do better when given directions that are the verbal10 equivalent11 of looking at a map—called “survey perspective.” These are the kind of people who are good at “getting their bearings” and telling which way north is without a compass， and have a good “feel” for estimating that they just drove for two miles. In this case， your directions will sound like the following： “Drive north for a little over 3 miles （4.8 km）， then head east on Church Street...”

1. 構(gòu)建大腦中的地圖，然后分享它。

有些人比別人更擅長(zhǎng)看地圖，而這些人在指路時(shí)言語(yǔ)上往往也做得更好，就像看著地圖一樣，這就是所謂的“俯瞰視角”。這些人不易迷失方向，不用指南針就能分辨哪邊朝北，并能很好地“憑感覺”估計(jì)他們車剛開了兩英里。在這種情況下，你可以像這樣指路：“驅(qū)車北上3英里（4.8公里），然后朝教堂街東頭走……”

2. Specify distance from point to point.

Include units of distance in every step of your directions. For example， specify how many miles or kilometers the person will stay on a specific road before turning or getting to their destination. City blocks and highway exits are also acceptable units of distance to use， even though the exact distance between them varies. For example， “Go two blocks north， then get on the freeway and head west to the fourth exit...” A rough12 estimate is better than not giving any sense of the distance from one point to another.

2. 詳細(xì)說明點(diǎn)與點(diǎn)之間的距離。

你指的路的每一步驟都應(yīng)包括距離單位。例如，向人詳細(xì)說明在轉(zhuǎn)彎或到達(dá)目的地之前應(yīng)該在某條道路上前行多少英里或公里。城市的街區(qū)和高速公路出口也是可接受的距離單位，盡管它們之間的確切距離不同，例如：“向北走兩個(gè)街區(qū)，然后上高速公路，向西到第四個(gè)出口……”粗略的估計(jì)總比不說明從一點(diǎn)到另一點(diǎn)的距離要好。

3. Refer to the cardinal13 directions.

While its always a good idea to mention whether something is on the right or left， you should also provide cardinal directions （north， south， east and west） when you explain a route to someone in survey perspective. And even people who do better with route perspective （following landmarks） often have a vehicle or smartphone equipped with a digital compass， and many road signs indicate a cardinal direction. So “Turn right at the light onto 5th street and go south for half a mile， then merge14 onto route 35...”

3. 說明基本方向。

說明什么在左邊或右邊始終是個(gè)好主意，但當(dāng)你從俯瞰視角向某人解釋的路線時(shí)，你也應(yīng)該說明基本的方向（東、西、南、北）。即使是更擅長(zhǎng)路線視角（按照地標(biāo)尋路）的人通常也會(huì)在車輛上或智能手機(jī)上配備有數(shù)字指南針，并且有許多道路標(biāo)志也會(huì)指示基本方向。所以，可以指路說：“在交通燈處右轉(zhuǎn)上第五大街，然后向南走半英里，上35號(hào)公路……”

4. Draw a map.

If youre having trouble verbally communicating directions to someone who understands directions better in map format， just sketch15 out the route for them. Youll also be able to include details， such as the location of landmarks， on your map. The map doesnt need to be to scale16， but you should use a general map orientation （that is， with north to the top）.

4. 畫地圖。

如果你在同一個(gè)更容易看懂地圖的人口頭溝通方面有困難，只要為他們畫出路線就行了。你畫的圖上還可以包含詳細(xì)信息，例如，地標(biāo)的位置。地圖不需要比例精準(zhǔn)，但你應(yīng)該使用一般的地圖定位（即上指北）。

Choosing the Right Route to Describe

選擇正確的路線

1. Explain the route based on where the person is coming from.

Before you start giving directions， you need to ask the person where exactly theyre coming from. This is important， as the specifics of your directions will depend on which way they are headed.

1. 根據(jù)人來(lái)的方向來(lái)說明路線。

在你開始指路之前，你要問對(duì)方到底是從哪邊來(lái)的。這很重要，因?yàn)槟阒嘎返募?xì)節(jié)將取決于他們朝著哪個(gè)方向走。

2. Give the simplest route.

While it may seem tempting to give someone directions to your favorite shortcut， this could wind up doing more harm than good. Instead， give the simplest directions that are least likely to confuse the person. This way， youll minimize the chance that the person youre giving directions to will get lost. When considering the simplest route， choose routes with less turns， even if they take a bit longer， focus on routes where the person can stay on one road for a long time， and pick routes that avoid confusing intersections， roundabouts17， or bypasses.

2. 給出最簡(jiǎn)單的路線。

雖然你可能禁不住想向某人介紹你最喜歡的捷徑，但是這可能弊大于利。相反，給出最最簡(jiǎn)單的路線最不會(huì)讓人迷惑。這樣，你就可以最大限度地減少對(duì)方迷路的機(jī)會(huì)。在考慮最簡(jiǎn)單的路線時(shí)，哪怕路長(zhǎng)一點(diǎn)，也要少走彎路；選擇能在同一條路上走較長(zhǎng)時(shí)間的路線；選擇路線時(shí)還應(yīng)避開令人迷惑的交叉口，繞來(lái)繞去的路或支路。

3. Share the safest route.

If there are several routes available and some of them are particularly dangerous， give the safest route. As someone who is not familiar with the area， the person youre advising wont know the dangers theyll be driving through. Whether its treacherous18 terrain19， narrow roads， or high crime neighborhoods， take threats to the persons safety into account. Dont suggest routes you havent taken. Otherwise， you may wind up giving incorrect directions that could get the person lost.

3. 分享最安全的路線。

如果有幾種可選擇的路線，而其中一些特別危險(xiǎn)，那就應(yīng)給出最安全的路線。由于不熟悉這個(gè)區(qū)域，對(duì)方不會(huì)知道他們將要經(jīng)歷的危險(xiǎn)。無(wú)論是險(xiǎn)惡的地形，狹窄的道路，還是高犯罪率的社區(qū)，都要考慮到對(duì)人身安全的威脅。不要建議對(duì)方走你沒有走過的路線。否則，你可能會(huì)指條錯(cuò)誤的路，可能會(huì)讓人迷路。

4. Warn the person about confusing parts of the route.

If there is a particularly tricky20 part of the route youre providing， tell the person in detail. Some points of confusion could include： roads that merge with little notice， turns that are very slight， roundabouts.

4. 提醒對(duì)方路線中令人迷惑的部分。

如果你所提供的路線中有特別棘手的部分，請(qǐng)?jiān)敿?xì)告訴對(duì)方。令人迷惑的地方可能包括：不經(jīng)意就合并為一的道路、有輕微轉(zhuǎn)向的路以及環(huán)形交叉口。

Communicating Effectively

有效地溝通

1. Speak slowly and clearly.

When giving directions， dont rush. Pronounce clearly every word you say. If you dont speak slowly and clearly， the person may get confused or may miss an important piece of information.

1. 慢慢地說清楚。

指路時(shí)，不要著急。說清楚每個(gè)字的發(fā)音。如果你不說得慢一點(diǎn)，清晰一點(diǎn)，對(duì)方可能會(huì)有疑惑，或者漏掉什么重要的信息。

2. Avoid using words， phrases， or names that only locals will know.

Use the names of roads as theyre marked on street signs and road maps. Avoid using road names only used by locals. In addition， dont refer to peoples homes as landmarks. Any examples you use should be ones that can be recognizable to someone from outside your community. Dont assume the person knows anything about the area. Give directions as if the person knows nothing of local landmarks， main roads， or even the names of roads.

2. 不要使用只有當(dāng)?shù)厝酥赖脑~、短語(yǔ)或名字。

使用街道標(biāo)志和路線圖上標(biāo)明的道路名稱。不要去使用只有當(dāng)?shù)厝瞬庞玫牡缆访Q。此外，不要把人們的家當(dāng)作地標(biāo)。你所例舉的一切都應(yīng)該是來(lái)自社區(qū)以外的人能夠識(shí)別的。不要認(rèn)為對(duì)方熟悉這個(gè)地區(qū)的一切。指路時(shí)，應(yīng)假設(shè)對(duì)方對(duì)當(dāng)?shù)氐牡貥?biāo)、主要道路甚至道路名稱一無(wú)所知。

3. Ask the person if they have any questions.

Be direct and ask “Do you have any questions about the route？” Asking will allow the person to clarify any part of the route they might not fully understand. Suggest that the person summarize the directions youve just given to them. This way， youll be able to make sure that they understood you completely. Then， if they did misunderstand or mishear you， youll be able to correct them.

3. 詢問對(duì)方是否有任何疑問。

直接問“關(guān)于路線你還有什么問題嗎？”這樣可以讓對(duì)方弄清楚他們可能沒完全理解的任何地方。建議對(duì)方總結(jié)一下你剛才指的路。這樣，你就能確定他們是不是完全理解你了。如果他們有理解錯(cuò)誤或聽錯(cuò)了的地方，你就能糾正他們。

Notes：

1. landmark n. 陸標(biāo)；地標(biāo)

2. route n. 路線；航線；通道

3. perspective n. 觀點(diǎn)；遠(yuǎn)景；透視圖

4. dome n. 圓屋頂

5. specify vt. 指定；詳細(xì)說明；列舉

6. take for granted 認(rèn)為……理所應(yīng)當(dāng)

7. estimate v. 估計(jì)，估價(jià) n. 估計(jì)，估價(jià)

8. component n. 成分；組件

9. compass n. 指南針，羅盤

10. verbal adj. 口頭的；言語(yǔ)的

11. equivalent n. 等價(jià)物，相等物

12. rough adj. 粗略的

13. cardinal adj. 主要的，基本的

14. merge vt. 使合并；吞沒 vi. 合并；融合

15. sketch vt.& vi. 畫素描或速寫

16. scale n. 規(guī)模；比例 to scale 按規(guī)定比例

17. roundabout n. 迂回路線；環(huán)狀交叉路口

18. treacherous adj. 危險(xiǎn)的

19. terrain n. 地形；領(lǐng)域；地帶

20. tricky adj. 棘手的