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In our lab, we try to give the dolphins a means of communication using a keyboard so that they could request and identify different objects
在实验室中，我们试图用一个键盘为海豚提供一种交流的手段，方便它们索要和识别不同的物体，
and that's what we're working on now so that they can produce a code themselves.
这就是我们当前的研究内容，为的是让海豚能够自己制作出一套语言代码。
Well, if it's so hard to learn their language, can't we just teach them ours?
那既然了解它们的语言这么难，我们何不直接教它们学习我们的语言呢？
Isn't that an easier way to have an interspecies conversation?
通过这种方式进行跨物种交流来得不是更容易吗？
Maybe. For decades scientists have been working with apes to teach them American Sign Language
或许吧。几十年来，科学家们一直在努力教类人猿学习美国的手语，
in order to learn more about both the species and the origin of human language.
为的是更深入地了解人和类人猿这两个物种以及人类语言的起源。
"So the first Chimp was Washoe, she was wild caught by the Air Force. They were collecting chimps for the space program.
“我们培养的第一只黑猩猩叫瓦舒，她是被空军从野外带回来的，当时是为了某个太空项目。
Instead of going into space she joined this sign language project...
但瓦舒最后并没有被送入太空，而是加入了这个手语学习的项目……
So she was raised like a human child and all over her caregivers used American sign language…"
她是被像人类的孩子一样抚养大的，所有照顾她的保姆们也都是用美国的手语跟她交流的……”
Washoe was able to learn over 200 signs, talk to scientists and even taught another chimp how to sign.
瓦舒学会了200多个手语符号，还能与科学家交谈，甚至还会教其他黑猩猩如何签名。
More studies popped up, most famously with Koko the Gorilla, and for a moment the lines between human and animals blurred ever so slightly.
越来越多的研究冒出来，其中最著名的就是大猩猩可可的研究，一时之间，人和动物之间的界限从未如此模糊不清。
Some were still skeptical though, arguing that these apes were just mimicking those signs for a reward instead of voluntarily conversing.
尽管如此，还是有人对此表示怀疑，声称这些类人猿只不过是为了奖励而模仿那些手势，并非自愿地在交流。
But other studies were done that showed apes talking amongst themselves with signs and having private conversations with each other.
但有其他研究表明，类人猿互相之间会用手势进行交谈，还会说悄悄话。
They seemed to be using language voluntarily.
那时他们似乎又是自愿地在使用语言。
Now, even though great progress has been made, some in this field feel uncomfortable with the idea of bringing in new apes, or any animal, into captivity to study.
尽管科学家们的研究已经取得了很大的进展，某些业内人士还是不喜欢将更多的类人猿，或者其他动物，抓起来供人研究这一想法。
As someone that's been doing this for a long time, I feel that this research should never be repeated.
作为一个长期搞这方面研究的人，我觉得，这种研究决不能再继续。
but the chimps that do have sign language,
但是拿那些已经学会使用手语的黑猩猩来说，
I feel that it's important for us to continue to document it, and study it
我觉得我们还是应该继续观察它们，研究它们，
And that is what may be at stake here.
这就是当前的研究可能存在的问题。
That's why scientists are interested in studying inter-species communication and closing the gap between us and them.
也是科学家们为什么对研究物种与物种间的交流，弥合我们与它们之间的差异感兴趣的原因。
I think if we could talk to animals, it would really change our relationship with them
在我看来，如果我们真的能与动物进行对话，那将会大大改变我们与它们之间的关系，
because people would realize that they are much more like us in many respects.
因为那时人们就会意识到，它们在很多方面都要比我们想象的更接近我们人类。
We are taught with our culture that we're so special and superior to other beings.
我们接受的文化教育告诉我们，相比其他生物，我们人类是多么的特别，多么的优越。
when people see the chimps signing,
当人们看到黑猩猩学会使用手语时，
it's like the chimps are reaching across that imaginary boundary that our culture has put up for a lot of people that helps them widen their circle of compassion… .
就好像黑猩猩正在跨越那个想象的边界，我们的文化为很多人设置的那个边界，很多人都将因此拓宽他们的同情对象的范围。
it's going to really perhaps end what Loren Eiseley has called The Long Loneliness of us being the only species that can communicate with each other.
人类或许真的能够因此结束洛伦·艾斯利所谓的“漫长的孤独”状态，不再以为人类是唯一能跟同类交流的物种。
That would be very exciting to be able to communicate with other species on this planet.
能够与这个星球上的其他物种进行交流将是一件非常值得兴奋的事。
If we were ever able to have a conversation with an animal,
要能跟动物进行对话，
we first need to decode every sound and movement they make when communicating.
我们首先需要解码他们在交流时所发出的每一个声音和动作。
This would be our Rosetta Stone, the groundwork for being able to talk back,
这将成为我们的罗塞塔石碑，为我们回应动物的话奠定基础，
a scenario that might change how we think, govern, work, innovate and of course, eat.
我们的思考方式，管理方式，工作方式，创新方式，当然还有吃饭的方式都将因此改变。
So, how close are we to talking to animals?
那么，我们距离与动物交谈到底还有多远呢？
We really have to abandon our arrogance, and it's our arrogance that keeps us from communicating with other humans in other cultures
要做到这一点，我们真的要放下我们的姿态，因为这种姿态已经妨碍我们和其他文化的同类交流了，
and it's our arrogance that has probably slowed our progress in understanding what non-humans are talking about.
或许，妨碍我们了解非人类物种的交流方式的也是这种姿态。
We're already communicating with animals in simple ways.
我们已经能用简单的方式和动物交流了。
If we then ask the question how close are we to having a more sophisticated dialogue or exchange with other animals,
如果现在要问我们距离用一套共享的符号同其他动物进行更为复杂的交流或沟通还有多远，
I would say, we still have a long way to go and we're just in the infancy of understanding how to do it.
那么，我的回答是，还有很远，目前我们还只能算处于起步阶段。
And I think it really requires decoding more of what they're doing in their own natural systems
我觉得，那还需要我们解码更多关于它们在它们的自然语言系统的语言行为，
and finding ways of incorporating that into what we want to create as a shared code.
以及找到把相关成果纳入共享代码的制作中的方法，
So it's complicated but it's intriguing.
这很复杂，但也很有意思。
Thanks for watching How Close Are We, let us know in the comments what topics you want to cover in future episodes.
感谢您收看本期《还有多远》，欢迎大家在评论中告诉我们你们想看的节目内容。
If you want more How Close Are We, click here to watch our playlist.
想了解更多关于本专题的内容，请点击此处观看我们的播放列表。
And don't forget to like share and subscribe.
最后，别忘了点赞，转发，订阅噢。
