In fact, not only podcast transcript has no translation, but also no translation in speaking and listening Mandarin Express series and Chinese Reading and Writing books. Not even in the vocabulary list.
The reason is simple: To force you remember. And when you do that, it's more likely that you will remember.
This is from my personal experience. Whenever there is Chinese text and English text both available, I find myself only read Chinese part. If there is a new English word listed there with Chinese translation, I would remember the Chinese part better. Later on I remember I learned a new word and the meaning is such and such. But I can not remember what that word is.
If I learned a new word through guessing, or through English text, that word is staying with me.
To draw a conclusion, for all the Mandarin Chinese learner there, try to use something with no translation in your first language.
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