评论
打印
If you're a foreign traveler or expat finding yourself disoriented in the Sanlitun area in Beijing, where there is a concentration of embassy buildings,
如果你是一个外国游客或外国人，在有大量使馆建筑的北京三里屯地区迷失了方向，
Zhang Jianna, a sanitation worker in an orange uniform, might become your helpful guide.
那么身着橙色制服的环卫工人张建娜可能会成为你的得力向导。
Recently, video clips of Zhang directing foreigners went viral online.
最近，张建娜为外国人指路的视频在网上疯传。
Her fluent English and confident demeanor showcased in the clips have impressed the viewers.
视频中她流利的英语和自信的举止给观看者留下了深刻印象。
Behind the sensation lies a decade-long journey of persistence.
在这背后，是长达十年的坚持。
The 49-year-old Zhang is a migrant worker from a rural village in North China's Hebei province.
今年49岁的张建娜，是一名来自中国北部河北省的一个农村的农民工。
With only a high school diploma, she had previously worked as a restaurant server and a sales clerk.
只有高中文凭的她，以前做过餐馆服务员和商场销售。
In 2012, she took on the job of a sanitation worker in the embassy area of Sanlitun in Beijing's Chaoyang district.
2012年，她在北京朝阳区三里屯使馆区担任环卫工人。
A special encounter while working motivated Zhang to learn English on her own, a pursuit she continues with determination to this day.
工作中一次特殊的邂逅，促使张建娜开始自学英语，并一直坚持到今天。
One morning, a foreigner approached her, gently tapped her shoulder, and spoke a long string of unfamiliar words.
一天早上，一个外国人走近她，轻轻地拍了拍她的肩膀，对她说了一长串陌生的单词。
Standing there with her mind going blank, Zhang didn't know how to react.
张建娜站在那里，脑子一片空白，不知道该如何应答。
The foreigner seemed to recognize her awkwardness and gestured for her to look ahead, giving a thumbs-up while repeatedly saying, "Good, good!"
拿命外国人似乎看出了她的尴尬，示意她看前面，一边竖起大拇指，一边连声说：“好，好！”
Zhang suddenly realized that the foreigner was appreciating her work keeping the streets clean.
张建娜恍然大悟，原来这个外国人是在赞赏她所做的街道清洁的工作。
Thus, at the age of 40, Zhang embarked on a personal challenge.
因此，40岁的张建娜开始了一项个人挑战。
Without a tutor, she began studying English from her children's textbooks, starting with basic words and phrases commonly used for giving directions.
在没有家教的情况下，她开始从孩子们的课本中学习英语，从指路常用的基本单词和短语学起。
With no fixed study hours, she utilized every spare moment. While others rested, she memorized vocabulary words and practiced speaking.
没有固定的学习时间，张建娜就利用一切空闲时间。别人休息时，她就背单词、练口语。
Upon arriving home after work, she would note down new knowledge points and review them until thoroughly understood.
下班回家后，她会把新知识点记下来复习，直到完全理解为止。
When asked about the greatest reward of learning English, Zhang emphasizes self-confidence.
当被问及学习英语的最大收获时，张建娜强调了自信。
"Growing up in a rural area without a college education, I sometimes feared being looked down on. But every time I help a stranger in English, I feel incredibly accomplished."
“我从小在农村长大，没有接受过大学教育，有时害怕被人瞧不起。但每当我用英语帮助一个陌生人时，我都会感到非常有成就感。”
