时差N小时 人类语言的起源(下)

（单词翻译）

Like human speech, lip smacking¹ requires quick, controlled movements of the lips, tongue, jaw², and hyoid bone, which supports the larynx and tongue.

与人类语言一样，灵长类的唇动需要控制嘴唇、舌头、下颚以及支撑喉、舌的舌骨之间的快速运动发声。

For example, if you’ve been to a zoo you’ve probably seen chimps⁴ making loud lip smacks⁵ and buzzing sounds, like blowing a raspberry.

举个例子，如果你去过动物园，你可能会发现大猩猩发出很大声的咂嘴声和嗡嗡声，像是故意发出嘘声。

Scientists believe that these sounds are a controlled form of chimp³ communication.

科学家相信这些声音是大猩猩沟通的一种形式。

This research doesn’t quite solve the puzzle of the evolution of human speech.

这项研究并不能完全解开人类语言进化的谜团。

But it is a fascinating clue that the way we speak may have developed from a combination of sounds produced by the vocal⁶ cords and by rapid, controlled movements of the vocal tract⁷, including lips, tongue and jaw.

不过该研究却提供了一个很有价值的线索，即人类说话的方式可能是从声带和声道（由嘴唇、舌头和下颚组成）的快速运动发出的声音发展而来的。