2019年职称英语《综合类B级》概括大意文章及译文5

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2024年1月9日发(作者：)

2019年职称英语《综合类B级》概括大意文章及译文5

Washoe Learned American Sign Language

1 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. Wash0e 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.

2 Research scientists Allen and Beatrix Gardner began

teaching Washoe sign language in 1966. In 1969, the Gardners7

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.

3 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.

4 Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall

believes Washoe provided new information about the mental

workings of chimpanzees8. 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.

5 Debate continues about chimps' understanding of human

communication. Yet, one thing is sure -- Washoe changed

popular ideas about the possibilities of animal intelligence.

词汇：

chimpanzee n.黑猩猩 critic n.评论家，批评家

community n.社区，圈子 workings n.活动，运行

primate n.灵长类动物 chimp n.=chimpanzee

注释：

1. in the scientific community ： 在科学界，在科学家的圈子里

2. American Sign Language(ASL)： 美国手语。利用手、脸部表情、身体姿势表达思想的美国聋哑人语言。在加拿大、墨西哥等地也使用ASL。ASL与British Sign Language(BSL英国手语)不同，两者不能相互理解。

3. led to debate： 引起辩论。lead to意为“导致”，to为介词，debate为名词。

4. she grew to understand about 250 words： 她逐步掌握约250个单词。9row t0是“逐步”的意思。

5. Once ： 一旦。0nce是连接词。例：Children like to

cycle once they have learned how. 小孩一旦学会了如何骑自行车，就会喜欢上它。

6. of their own： 属于自己的。of their own的含义与on

their own不同， on their own是“独自”的意思。

7. the Gardners： Gardner夫妇

8. Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall

： 像个体研究者Jane Goodall这样的科学家相信……。like(像，跟……一样)是介词，本句的谓语是believe。句子中的private researcher意为“不受雇于任何单位，自己独立工作的科研人员。”

本文标签： 科学家美国概括