2017職稱英語理工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)會了美國手語

一個影響科學(xué)思維的動物已經(jīng)死亡了。一個出生在非洲名為Washoe的黑猩猩上個月月底在美國華盛頓州的一個研究中心自然死亡,死時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终Z。它是第一個了解人類語言的非人類。它的技能也導(dǎo)致有關(guān)靈長類動物。

和它們所能理解的語言的爭議。

科學(xué)家Alien和Beatrix Gardner于1966年開始教Washoe手語。1969年，Gardners在科學(xué)的報 告中描述了Washoe的進(jìn)步。對Washoe做實(shí)驗(yàn)的人說Washoe逐漸掌握了約250個單詞。例如，Washoe能用手語表達(dá)“該吃飯了”!它能要蘋果和番蕉這樣的食品。它也問諸如“誰要來玩”之類的問題。Washoe能用手語的消息一散開，許多語言學(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。靈長類動物的整個研究方向改變了。

然而，批評者認(rèn)為Washoe只學(xué)會了看它的教師的手語重復(fù)動作。他們說Washoe從來沒有發(fā)展真正的語言技能。即使是現(xiàn)在，也有一些研究表明靈長類動物學(xué)習(xí)手語只是機(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研究中心。在這里，Washoe教三個年輕的黑猩猩手語，這三個黑猩猩依然活著。 !

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

對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)動物智能可能性的普遍觀點(diǎn)。