TED演讲之说什么 语言如何改变人类(13)
Mark, one question. Svante found that the FOXP2 gene, which seems to be associated with language,
马克，我有个问题。斯万特发现FOXP2基因，好像它与语言有关
was also shared in the same form in Neanderthals as us.
而尼安德特人也像我们一样有此基因
Do we have any idea how we could have defeated Neanderthals if they also had language?
那么我们有没有什么办法能够打败尼安德特人，如果他们也有语言的话？
This is a very good question.
这是个很好的问题。
So many of you will be familiar with the idea that there’s this gene called FOXP2
很多人将会了解这个语言基因叫FOXP2
that seems to be implicated in some ways in the fine motor control that’s associated with language.
它应该是在一个与语言有关的精巧的运动神经控制中
The reason why I don’t believe that tells us that the Neanderthals had language is — here’s a simple analogy:
我不相信这个发现足以说明尼安德特人拥有语言的原因是，打个比方：
Ferraris are cars that have engines.
法拉利是有引擎的汽车
My car has an engine, but it’s not a Ferrari.
我的车也有引擎，但它不是法拉利
Now the simple answer then is that genes alone don’t, all by themselves,
简单来说就是，基因本身
determine the outcome of very complicated things like language.
并不决定了如语言这样复杂的结果
What we know about this FOXP2 and Neanderthals
我们对FOXP2基因和尼安德特人的了解是
is that they may have had fine motor control of their mouths — who knows.
也许他们口腔里具备这样一个精巧的运动神经控制–不过谁知道呢
But that doesn’t tell us they necessarily had language.
但这并不表明他们一定拥有语言
Thank you very much indeed.
非常感谢
演讲简介：
生物学家马克·佩格尔与我们分享了一个关于人类如何发展复杂的语言系统的有趣理论。他认为，语言是一种社会技术，它帮助人类早期部落获得了一个强有力的新工具：合作。