評論
打印
Mark, one question. Svante found that the FOXP2 gene, which seems to be associated with language,
馬克，我有個問題。斯萬特發現FOXP2基因，好像它與語言有關
was also shared in the same form in Neanderthals as us.
而尼安德特人也像我們一樣有此基因
Do we have any idea how we could have defeated Neanderthals if they also had language?
那么我們有沒有什么辦法能夠打敗尼安德特人，如果他們也有語言的話？
This is a very good question.
這是個很好的問題。
So many of you will be familiar with the idea that there's this gene called FOXP2
很多人將會了解這個語言基因叫FOXP2
that seems to be implicated in some ways in the fine motor control that's associated with language.
它應該是在一個與語言有關的精巧的運動神經控制中
The reason why I don't believe that tells us that the Neanderthals had language is -- here's a simple analogy:
我不相信這個發現足以說明尼安德特人擁有語言的原因是，打個比方：
Ferraris are cars that have engines.
法拉利是有引擎的汽車
My car has an engine, but it's not a Ferrari.
我的車也有引擎，但它不是法拉利
Now the simple answer then is that genes alone don't, all by themselves,
簡單來說就是，基因本身
determine the outcome of very complicated things like language.
并不決定了如語言這樣復雜的結果
What we know about this FOXP2 and Neanderthals
我們對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.
也許他們口腔里具備這樣一個精巧的運動神經控制--不過誰知道呢
But that doesn't tell us they necessarily had language.
但這并不表明他們一定擁有語言
Thank you very much indeed.
非常感謝
