纪录片《为何讲话》 第44期：语言的高深（在线收听）

I'll do it in Catalan.

我要用加泰罗尼亚文来写

It's this ability we have to combine sounds to make new meanings

我们把声音组合起来表达新含义的能力

that means how we talk will continue to change

意味着我们的说话方式会不断改变

from generation to generation.

一代又一代地演进

That's mummy.

那是妈妈

And the fact that it's a living entity makes it so fascinating

正是这种生命力让语言变得如此迷人

but so evasive for scientists.

却也让科学家难以捉摸

We have come a long way but, at the same time,

我们做了很长时间的努力

it's really a window that has opened.

但这真的只是研究的开始

We are only beginning to get a glimpse

我们只是刚刚知道一点

of how complicated the whole process is.

这整个过程有多么复杂

Researchers are beginning to understand that,

研究者开始了解到

beyond our innate ability and our upbringing,

除了我们的天生本能与后天教养之外

there are more factors that influence why we talk.

还有很多因素影响着我们说话的原因

One area of growing consensus

在对语言生物学的理解上

in understanding the biology of language

越来越多的人赞成这一观点

is the realisation that language actually is not one monolithic thing

语言不止是一个庞大的整体

but instead is made up of multiple different components.

而是由多种不同的成份组成

Come on, 4 a pound, bananas!

看呐 香蕉四块钱一磅