时差N小时 人类语言的起源(上)

Scientists have searched for the origins of human speech in the hoots¹, grunts², and other vocalizations made by primates⁴.

科学家一直通过研究灵长类动物发出的叫声、呼噜声以及其他声音来寻找人类语言的起源。

It would seem to make sense, after all, that such sounds may be related to the more varied⁵ and articulated sounds we humans make.

这似乎也讲得通，毕竟这些声音与人类发出的更加多样、清晰的声音有关。

But there are significant differences.

其实，两者之间的区别很大。

For example, human speech is learned, made using controlled and rapid movements of the tongue, lips, and jaw⁶.

例如，人类语言为后天习得，通过控制舌头、嘴唇和下颚间的快速运动来发声。

Primatevocalizations, on the other hand, are not learned but innate⁷.

而灵长类动物的发音不是习得而是先天性的。

So some researchers are now considering the hypothesis that human speech evolved not from primate³ sounds but more from monkey facial gestures.

因此，一些研究人员认为：人类语言并非由灵长类动物的声音进化而来，而是从猴子的面部表情进化成来。

Specifically, scientists are interested in how monkeys smack⁸ their lips to communicate.

具体而言，科学家对猴子如何通过唇动交流尤其感兴趣。

Using x ray movies, researchers at Princeton and the University of Vienna have found that primate lip smacking⁹ is much more complex than it appears.

通过使用X射线视频，美国普林斯顿大学和奥地利维也纳大学的研究人员发现，灵长类动物的唇动比看起来要复杂的多。

1 hoots   

咄，啐

参考例句：

• His suggestion was greeted with hoots of laughter. 他的建议引起了阵阵嗤笑。
• The hoots came from the distance. 远处传来呜呜声。

2 grunts   

（猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的第三人称单数 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说； 石鲈

参考例句：

• With grunts of anguish Ogilvie eased his bulk to a sitting position. 奥格尔维苦恼地哼着，伸个懒腰坐了起来。
• Linda fired twice A trio of Grunts assembling one mortar fell. 琳达击发两次。三个正在组装迫击炮的咕噜人倒下了。

3 primate   

n.灵长类（目）动物，首席主教；adj.首要的

参考例句：

• 14 percent of primate species are highly endangered.14%的灵长类物种处于高度濒危状态。
• The woolly spider monkey is the largest primate in the Americas.绒毛蛛猴是美洲最大的灵长类动物。

4 primates   

primate的复数

参考例句：

• Primates are alert, inquisitive animals. 灵长目动物是机灵、好奇的动物。
• Consciousness or cerebration has been said to have emerged in the evolution of higher primates. 据说意识或思考在较高级灵长类的进化中已出现。

5 varied   

adj.多样的，多变化的

参考例句：

• The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
• The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

6 jaw   

n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训

参考例句：

• He delivered a right hook to his opponent's jaw.他给了对方下巴一记右钩拳。
• A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志。

7 innate   

adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的

参考例句：

• You obviously have an innate talent for music.你显然有天生的音乐才能。
• Correct ideas are not innate in the mind.人的正确思想不是自己头脑中固有的。

8 smack   

vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍

参考例句：

• She gave him a smack on the face.她打了他一个嘴巴。
• I gave the fly a smack with the magazine.我用杂志拍了一下苍蝇。

9 smacking   

活泼的，发出响声的，精力充沛的

参考例句：

• He gave both of the children a good smacking. 他把两个孩子都狠揍了一顿。
• She inclined her cheek,and John gave it a smacking kiss. 她把头低下，约翰在她的脸上响亮的一吻。