纪录片《为何讲话》 第36期：基因之间的关系

The discovery of FOXP2 in humans

人体中FOXP2的发现

marked a significant step forward for linguistic¹ science.

是语言科学发展的一个重要里程碑

One family had unlocked some of the key secrets of speech in all of us.

一个家族揭示了人类语言的某些关键秘密

This kind of a connection between a single gene²

找出像说话和语言这种认知能力

and a cognitive³ capacity, like speech and language,

与单个基因之间的关系

is quite remarkable⁴ to be able to demonstrate.

是相当引人瞩目的

It was later discovered that all vertebrates have a version of this gene

随后我们发现所有脊椎动物都有这种基因

but just two tiny changes in the human form

只是与人类的基因的两处小差别

has meant the difference between making noises and producing speech.

就使得叫嚷和讲话得以区分

It looks like this period where these changes occurred

看起来 这些小差别产生的时刻

may have coincided with the time that modern humans had come about.

可能就是现代人类文明出现的那一刻

The effect of these small changes in our genes⁵ was massive

基因中的小变化带来的影响是巨大的

because, for the first time,

因为 这是有史以来第一次

we were able to manipulate our mouths to form complex sounds.

我们能够控制自己的嘴巴发出复杂的声音

1 linguistic   

adj.语言的，语言学的

参考例句：

• She is pursuing her linguistic researches.她在从事语言学的研究。
• The ability to write is a supreme test of linguistic competence.写作能力是对语言能力的最高形式的测试。

2 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

3 cognitive   

adj.认知的，认识的，有感知的

参考例句：

• As children grow older,their cognitive processes become sharper.孩子们越长越大，他们的认知过程变得更为敏锐。
• The cognitive psychologist is like the tinker who wants to know how a clock works.认知心理学者倒很像一个需要通晓钟表如何运转的钟表修理匠。

4 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

5 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪