2017職稱英語(yǔ)理工A翻譯練習(xí)-3

Washoe Learned American Sign Language

An animal that influenced scientific thought has died. A chimpanzee named Washoe and born in Africa died of natural causes late last month at the age of 42 at a research center in the American state of Washington. Washoe had become known in the scientific community1 and around the world for her ability to use American Sign Language2 . She was said to be the first non-human to learn a human language. Her skills also led to debate3 about primates and their ability to understand language.

Research scientists Allen and Beatrix Gardner began teaching Washoe sign language in 1966. In 1969，the Gardners described Washoe's progress in a scientific report. The people who experimented with Washoe said she grew to understand4 about 250 words. For example，Washoe made signs to communicate when it was time to eat. She could request foods like apples and bananas. She also asked questions like，"Who is coming to play?" Once5 the news about Washoe spread，many language scientists began studies of their own6 into this new and exciting area of research. The whole direction of primate research changed.

However，critics argued Washoe only learned to repeat sign language movements from watching her teachers. They said she had never developed true language skills. Even now there are some researchers who suggest that primates learn sign language only by memory，and perform the signs only for prizes. Yet Washoe's keepers disagree. Roger Fouts is a former student of the Gardners7 . He took Washoe to a research center in Ellensburg，Washington. There，Washoe taught sign language to three younger chimpanzees，which are still alive.

Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall believe8 Washoe provided new information about the mental workings of chimpanzees. Today，there are not as many scientists studying language skills with chimps. Part of the reason is that this kind of research takes a very long time.

Debate continues about chimps' understanding of human communication. Yet，one thing is sure - Washoe changed popular ideas about the possibilities of animal intelligence.

參考翻譯：

Washoe學(xué)會(huì)了美國(guó)手語(yǔ)

一個(gè)影響科學(xué)思維的動(dòng)物已經(jīng)死亡了。一個(gè)出生在非洲名為Washoe的黑猩猩上個(gè)月月底在美國(guó)華盛頓州的一個(gè)研究中心自然死亡,死時(shí)42歲。Washoe在科學(xué)界和世界各地眾所周知，是因?yàn)樗軌蚴褂妹绹?guó)手語(yǔ)。它是第一個(gè)了解人類語(yǔ)言的非人類。它的技能也導(dǎo)致有關(guān)靈長(zhǎng)類動(dòng)物。

和它們所能理解的語(yǔ)言的爭(zhēng)議。

科學(xué)家Alien和Beatrix Gardner于1966年開始教Washoe手語(yǔ)。1969年，Gardners在科學(xué)的報(bào) 告中描述了Washoe的進(jìn)步。對(duì)Washoe做實(shí)驗(yàn)的人說(shuō)Washoe逐漸掌握了約250個(gè)單詞。例如，Washoe能用手語(yǔ)表達(dá)“該吃飯了”!它能要蘋果和番蕉這樣的食品。它也問(wèn)諸如“誰(shuí)要來(lái)玩”之類的問(wèn)題。Washoe能用手語(yǔ)的消息一散開，許多語(yǔ)言學(xué)家開始在他們自己這一令人振奮的新研究領(lǐng)域展開研究。靈長(zhǎng)類動(dòng)物的整個(gè)研究方向改變了。

然而，批評(píng)者認(rèn)為Washoe只學(xué)會(huì)了看它的教師的手語(yǔ)重復(fù)動(dòng)作。他們說(shuō)Washoe從來(lái)沒(méi)有發(fā)展真正的語(yǔ)言技能。即使是現(xiàn)在，也有一些研究表明靈長(zhǎng)類動(dòng)物學(xué)習(xí)手語(yǔ)只是機(jī)械重復(fù)、死記硬背、物質(zhì)刺激的結(jié)果?？墒荳ashoe的飼養(yǎng)員不同意這種說(shuō)法。Roger Fouts以前是Gainer夫婦的學(xué)生。Roger Fouts把Washoe帶到了華盛頓埃倫斯堡的一個(gè)研究中心。在這里，Washoe教三個(gè)年輕的黑猩猩手語(yǔ)，這三個(gè)黑猩猩依然活著。 !

像Jane Goodall這樣的獨(dú)立的科學(xué)家認(rèn)為，Washoe為黑猩猩心理活動(dòng)的研究提供了新信息。今天，沒(méi)有那么多科學(xué)家研究黑猩猩的語(yǔ)言技能。部分原因在于這類研究需要花費(fèi)很長(zhǎng)的時(shí)間。

對(duì)黑猩猩懂得人類交流方式與否的辯論仍在繼續(xù)。然而，有一件事卻是肯定的，Washoe改變了有關(guān)動(dòng)物智能可能性的普遍觀點(diǎn)。