一起聽英語 196 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)
