bifocal bitext can help you learn languages.. when you need translations you can see them, but they're not all up in your face if you don't..

bifocal bitext separates a TEXT into distinct chunks, enabling a reader to compare units of TEXT with corresponding translations

[edit] chunk

a chunk of TEXT or translation is a complete unit of meaning, and may vary in size from a single syllable to a full page of text:

[edit] parallel text

language learners often use parallel text presentation, which typically offer a TEXT on on one page and a corresponding translation on the opposite or facing page.

[edit] bitext

bitext is a twin text presentation, where a TEXT and associated translation are aligned, typically in sentence for sentence chunks.. twext formats bitext in variable chunks.

[edit] bifocal

bifocal styling of bitext formats forces a reader to refocus to gather translation information, thus:

1. reader easily focuses on TEXT to learn
2. reader is not distracted by translation
3. translation info is available if needed
4. but it's a pain to refocus so
5. reader tends to learn the chunk of TEXT

[edit] separate focal planes

separation of focal planes is mostly achieved by light or faint density of translation relative to TEXT.. variable font sizes also effect the focal separation..

[edit] variable bifocality

likely to be known translations can be more faintly styled than other translations that are likely to be unknown

[edit] purpose

bifocal bitext is designed to help us learn languages by providing meaningful comprehensible input

problem: language students using bitext tend to just read the translation, rather than learn the new TEXT.

solution: bifocal bitext styles translations almost invisibly, thus providing information, but at a cost of effort..

if it kinda hurts to read the twext, so it's easier just to learn the TEXT