纪录片《为何讲话》 第25期：说话的能力是先天还是后天（在线收听）

Chomsky argues that our ability to talk

乔姆斯基认为我们说话的能力

is not just the result of our general intelligence

并不仅仅来自于人类的一般智力

but that we have an unconscious innate understanding about things

而是因为我们潜意识里对于句式语序

like sentence structure, word order, meaning and sounds.

含义和声调这类事物的天生理解力

Arlo, why don't you count them?

阿洛 你来数数有几个

But while we may have the blueprint for language,

但即使我们对语言有先天的认知能力

we need to be exposed to it early in life.

生命初期也需要生活在语言中

If a child is brought up on stilts, let's say,

假设一个孩子从小踩着高跷

and then they're taken off when it's two years old,

两岁时才帮他取掉高跷

it probably won't be able to acquire the capacity to walk

很可能他就无法学会走路了

because it's just too late.

因为为时已晚

You know, something should have happened already.

有些事情是早就应该完成的

Same with binocular vision and so on,

就像睁开双眼观察一样

and probably the same is true of language.

可能语言也是这么回事

Chomsky's theories get to the heart of the fundamental question -

乔姆斯基的理论触及了这基本问题的核心

is talking the result of nature or nurture?

说话的能力是天生的还是后天的