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. 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.

　　一个影响科学思维的动物已经死亡了。一个出生在非洲名为Washoe的黑猩猩上个月月底在 美国华盛顿州的一个研究中心自然死亡,死时42岁。Washoe在科学界和世界各地众所周知，是 因为它能够使用美国手语。它是第一个了解人类语言的非人类。它的技能也导致有关灵长类动物和它们所能理解的语言的争议。

　　2 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.

　　科学家Alien和Beatrix Gardner于1966年开始教Washoe手语。1969年，Gardners在科学的报 告中描述了 Washoe的进步。对Washoe做实验的人说Washoe逐渐掌握了约250个单词。例如， Washoe能用手语表达“该吃饭了”!它能要苹果和番蕉这样的食品。它也问诸如“谁要来玩”之 类的问题。Washoe能用手语的消息一散开，许多语言学家开始在他们自己这一令人振奋的新研究 领域展开研究。灵长类动物的整个研究方向改变了。

　　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.

　　然而，批评者认为Washoe只学会了看它的教师的手语重复动作。他们说Washoe从来没有发 展真正的语言技能。即使是现在，也有一些研究表明灵长类动物学习手语只是机械重复、死记硬 背、物质刺激的结果。可是Washoe的饲养员不同意这种说法。Roger Fouts以前是Gainer夫妇的 学生。Roger Fouts把Washoe带到了华盛顿埃伦斯堡的一个研究中心。在这里，Washoe教三个年 轻的黑猩猩手语，这三个黑猩猩依然活着。

　　4 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.

　　像Jane Goodall这样的独立的科学家认为，Washoe为黑猩猩心理活动的研究提供了新信息。 今天，没有那么多科学家研究黑猩猩的语言技能。部分原因在于这类研究需要花费很长的时间。

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

　　对黑猩猩懂得人类交流方式与否的辩论仍在继续。然而，有一件事却是肯定的~"Washoe改 变了有关动物智能可能性的普遍观点。

　　词汇：

　　chimpanzee /t?imp?n'zi: / n. 黑猩猩 critic /'kritik/ n. 评论家，批评家

　　community /ka'mju:niti/ n. 社区，圈子 workings n. 活动，运行

　　primate / 'praimeit / n. 灵长类动物 chimp /t?imp/n. = chimpanzee 黑猩猩

　　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:…她逐渐掌握了约 250 个单词。grow to 是"渐渐"的意思。

　　5. once:一旦。once是连接词。例如: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 believe ... :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"。