break down

The presence of redundancy in language is perhaps best observed when the communication process breaks down.

当沟通过程中断时，或许最能观察到语言中的冗余现象。

Our old van broke down outside the village, so a local mechanic came to help us.

我们的旧面包车在村外抛锚了，一位当地修理工赶来帮忙。