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英语听力文摘 English Digest 609、人类语言的起源

时间：2013-03-28 05:34:00

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（单词翻译）

 　　Scientists have searched for the origins of human speech in the hoots1, grunts2, and other vocalizations made by primates5. It would seem to make sense, after all, that such sounds may be related to the more varied6 and articulated sounds we humans make. But there are significant differences.

 
　　For example, human speech is learned, made using controlled and rapid movements of the tongue, lips, and jaw7. Primatevocalizations, on the other hand, are not learned but innate8.
　　So some researchers are now considering the hypothesis that human speech evolved not from primate4 sounds but more from monkey facial gestures.
 
　　Specifically, scientists are interested in how monkeys smack9 their lips to communicate. Using x ray movies, researchers at Princeton and the University of Vienna have found that primate lip smacking10 is much more complex than it appears. Like human speech, lip smacking requires quick, controlled movements of the lips, tongue, jaw, and hyoid bone, which supports the larynx and tongue.
 
　　For example, if you’ve been to a zoo you’ve probably seen chimps12 making loud lip smacks13 and buzzing sounds, like blowing a raspberry. Scientists believe that these sounds are a controlled form of chimp11 communication.
 
　　This research doesn’t quite solve the puzzle of the evolution of human speech. But it is a fascinating clue that the way we speak may have developed from a combination of sounds produced by the vocal3 cords and by rapid, controlled movements of the vocal tract14, including lips, tongue and jaw.

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1 hoots 328717a68645f53119dae1aae5c695a9     
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 c00fd9006f1464bcf0f544ccda70d94b     
（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 vocal vhOwA     
adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目
参考例句：
  • The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
  • Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。
4 primate A1YzI     
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。
5 primates 9536f12c27d026e37c108bd6fc53dbba     
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。
6 varied giIw9     
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。
7 jaw 5xgy9     
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。
8 innate xbxzC     
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。
9 smack XEqzV     
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。
10 smacking b1f17f97b1bddf209740e36c0c04e638     
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。
11 chimp WXGza     
n.黑猩猩
参考例句：
  • In fact,the color of gorilla and chimp are light-color.其实大猩猩和黑猩猩的肤色是较为浅的。
  • The chimp is the champ.猩猩是冠军。
12 chimps 2a09048610e52de775e2fe426c063f06     
（非洲）黑猩猩( chimp的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Chimps are too scarce, and too nearly human, to be routinely slaughtered for spare parts. 黑猩猩又太少，也太接近于人类，不可以作为人器官备用件说杀就杀。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 医学的第四次革命
  • And as nonprimates, they provoke fewer ethical and safety-related concerns than chimps or baboons. 而且作为非灵长类，就不会产生像用黑猩猩或狒狒那样的伦理和安全方面的顾虑。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 医学的第四次革命
13 smacks e38ec3a6f4260031cc2f6544eec9331e     
掌掴（声）( smack的名词复数 )； 海洛因； （打的）一拳； 打巴掌
参考例句：
  • His politeness smacks of condescension. 他的客气带有屈尊俯就的意味。
  • It was a fishing town, and the sea was dotted with smacks. 这是个渔业城镇，海面上可看到渔帆点点。
14 tract iJxz4     
n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林)
参考例句：
  • He owns a large tract of forest.他拥有一大片森林。
  • He wrote a tract on this subject.他曾对此写了一篇短文。

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