一起听英语 196 猴子
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    猴子和人类有着密切的联系,他们的很多行为习惯都和人类有着相似的地方,今天的演播室来了一位特殊的嘉宾——猴子

    Finn: Hello, I’m Finn. This is 6 Minute English and I’m joined this week by Neil. Hello Neil.

    (Monkey sounds)

    Finn: Err, Neil?

    (Monkey sounds)

    Finn: Neil, are you OK?

    (Monkey sounds)

    Finn: Actually that wasn't Neil, you'll be glad to know, he is safe and sound here in the

    studio with me.

    Neil: Hello. Yes, that wonderful sound you just heard was in fact a gelada – a kind of

    monkey – which we'll be hearing more from later in the programme.

    Finn: Yes. Could the gelada monkey provide an important clue about the development of

    human language? But first, as always, we have a question. Neil – could you please

    tell me what geladas eat?

    a) fish

    b) grass

    c) ice-cream

    Neil: Well, I can see you're trying to trap me with ice-cream here, because the name of

    the monkey sounds like the Italian word for ice-cream. So, I'm not that stupid, I'm

    going to go for 'b', grass.

    Finn: Wonderful knowledge of Italian there Neil. Don't worry I'm not trying to make a

    monkey out of you – I'm not trying to make you look stupid. Now let's listen to the

    gelada monkey again. How would we describe that sound?

    6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2013

    Page 2 of 5

    (Gelada monkey gurgling)

    Neil: Well, it sounds a bit like a gargle – a gargling noise.

    Finn: Yes, it does. Gargle is a great word because it's an example of what we call

    onomatopoeia – a word which sounds like its meaning. Neil, gargle is the word,

    could you please demonstrate a gargle?

    Neil: (Neil gargles)

    Finn: Very good. Neil is gargling – and the sound it makes is a gargle. That's lovely!

    Neil: Can I stop now?

    Finn: Yes, you can stop now. Thank you very much. How about another quick example of

    onomatopoeia:

    (Clicks mouse)

    A click. Listen again. Click.

    Neil: Or this, oops:

    (Crash sound)

    A crash.

    Finn: Now, anyway, let's get back to the gargling monkey. Behind the fun sound is some

    serious science - about the origins, or beginnings, of human speech.

    Neil: Scientists from the University of Michigan believe that these gelada calls might be

    similar to the primitive noises – early and simple sounds – that our evolutionary

    ancestors made, that is – what we, humans, were before we developed into modern

    humans.

    Finn: Dr Thore Bergman, who was the main author of the study, said that geladas make

    sounds which have "speech-like properties" – they have qualities which are like…

    speech.

    Neil: And the interesting thing is – most monkeys and apes can only make the most basic

    noises because they don't have the vocal anatomy required – that is they don't

    have the physical mouth and throat parts needed – to make more complex sounds.

    6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2013

    Page 3 of 5

    Finn: All other monkeys and apes can do is called lip smacking – rapidly moving their

    jaws, lips and their tongues. And I think, Neil, it's time for another demonstration

    please.

    Neil: (Neil making lip smacking noises)

    Finn: Lip smacking, very nice.

    Neil: The gelada, on the other hand, is the only one that can produce vocalisations – or

    sounds from the vocal chords in the throat while doing this.

    Finn: That’s it! So – lip smacking and vocalisations – together are maybe a possible step

    between the sounds of other monkeys – and human speech.

    Neil: Though there is a question – the scientists don't know yet what the noises mean

    exactly. They believe the noises might be used the way humans use small talk –

    chatting about things that are not really important – to help the monkey societies

    feel more closely bonded or connected.

    Finn: That’s right, so, small talk, things like saying: "Fine day, isn't it?"

    Neil: "Not bad, not bad. How are the kids, Finn?"

    Finn: "Oh yeah, keeping me awake all night."

    Neil: "Oh yes, I know the feeling."

    Finn: Or as you would say in gelada:

    (Gelada gargle)

    Finn: I think that's quite enough monkey business for one day – quite enough of us

    being silly, wouldn't you say? Neil, earlier I asked you what geladas eat. Was it:

    a) fish

    b) grass

    c) ice-cream

    Neil: And I am not stupid so I'm going to go for 'b' grass.

    Finn: And you're right, they are herbivores, they eat grass. Anyway, before we go let's run

    through the words and phrases one more time.

    6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2013

    Page 4 of 5

    Neil: gargle

    onomatopoeia

    origins

    primitive noises

    evolutionary ancestors

    vocal anatomy

    lip smacking

    vocalisations

    small talk

    monkey business

    Finn: Thanks Neil. Sadly, it's time to go. So please join us again soon for more 6 Minute

    English from BBC Learning English.

    Both: (Gargle)

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