双语·编码：将记忆内容输入大脑

Encoding: Putting memories into the brain
编码：将记忆内容输入大脑

Encoding is a process of imprinting information into the brain. Without proper encoding, there is nothing to store and attempting to retrieve the memory later will fail. One way to improve encoding is simply to repeat the information more times. Scientists who study memory call these repetitions “rehearsals” of the information.
编码是让信息在大脑中留下印记的过程。没有正确的编码，就没有可以存储的内容，之后试图检索记忆时也会失败。提高编码能力的一个办法就是简单地把信息重复更多次。研究记忆的科学家将这种重复称作信息“排演”。

However, as the case with the bank note illustrates, many rehearsals do not always mean you'll successfully recall the information. What makes the difference between this case and the more familiar case of remembering your phone number because you've had to use it a lot?
然而，正如画钞票的例子所说明的，多次排演并不总意味着你能成功回想起信息。这个例子与我们熟悉的因为频繁使用而记住电话号码之间有什么区别呢？

When you were trying to memorize the phone number, you did not merely look at it repetitively. Instead, you deliberately tried to memorize it. You may have read it to yourself several times. Maybe you attempted to recall it from your memory, checked whether you were right and corrected yourself accordingly. Perhaps you noticed that there were some relationships between different numbers (e.g. some numbers were the multiples or sums of preceding or following numbers). In summary, you employed certain cognitive strategies and processes. You still needed repetition, but repetition was effective only when used together with these strategies.
在试图记住电话号码时，你不是仅仅反复看，而是有意识地试图记住它。可能你已经在心里念了好几遍。也许你试图回想电话号码，然后检查自己记得对不对，并做出相应的纠正。也许你注意到不同数字之间有某种联系（例如某个数字是之前或之后数字的乘积或总和）。概而言之，你运用了特定的认知策略和加工。你依然需要重复，但只有在和这些策略一起使用时，重复才有用。

Similarly, if you want to have an effective memory, the cognitive strategies you use will make a big difference on your ability to remember things later.
类似地，如果你想拥有高效的记忆，那么所运用的认知策略将显著影响你在日后记起事情的能力。

What kind of encoding strategies are most effective?
什么样的编码策略是最有效的？

——节选自《记忆的科学》