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N3 · IntermediateMedium passagePassage #668
2

人にん間げんは二ふたつの知しらない言げん語ごを聞きいたとき、その内ない容ようはわからなくても、違ちがう言げん語ごだということはわかる。猿さるにも同おなじ力ちからがあるという報ほう告こくがある。では、鳥ちょう類るいはどうだろうか。

このことを文ぶん鳥ちょうという鳥とりで調しらべた実験じっけんがある。実験じっけんを始はじめる前まえに、まず、英えい語ごも中国語ちゅうごくごも同おなじように話はなせる人ひとに、それぞれの言げん語ごに翻ほん訳やくされた、ある日本にっぽんの小しょう説せつを読よんでもらって録ろく音おんする（注）。

次つぎは、文ぶん鳥ちょうの訓くん練れんである。文ぶん鳥ちょうを棒ぼうが2本ほんある箱はこに入いれ、1本ほんに止とまらせておく。そして、録ろく音おんした声こえを聞きかせる。英えい語ごを聞きいてもう1本ほんの棒ぼうに移うつったら、えさをやる。中国語ちゅうごくごを聞きいてもう1本ほんの棒ぼうに移うつっても、えさはやらない。

このような訓くん練れんの後あとで実験じっけんをすると、文ぶん鳥ちょうは約やく75%の割わり合あいで正まさしく動うごいた（実験じっけんでは、英えい語ごを聞きいて移うつったとき、または中国語ちゅうごくごを聞きいて移うつらなかったときを正せい解かいにした）。別べつの小しょう説せつを使つかった実験じっけんでも、同おなじように区く別べつできたそうだ。

文ぶん鳥ちょうがなぜ区く別べつできるのかまだわからないが、この研けん究きゅうは人にん間げんの言げん語ごの謎なぞを解とく鍵かぎになるかもしれないと考かんがえられている。

（注ちゅう）録ろく音おんする：CDやカセットテープなどに声こえや音おとを記き録ろくする

Questions

0/3 answered
  1. 1実験で文鳥に聞かせたものは何か。
  2. 2実験で、文鳥がえさをもらったのは、例えばどういうときか。
  3. 3実験でわかったことは何か。

Study this passage

Vocabulary17 words
  • 人間にんげん
    • ·human being; human; person; man; mankind; humankind
    • ·character (of a person)
    N3
  • 言語げんご
    • ·language
    N3
  • とき
    • ·time; hour; moment
    • ·occasion; case
    • ·chance; opportunity; season
    • ·the times; the age; the day
    • ·tense
    N3
  • 内容ないよう
    • ·contents; content; substance; matter; detail; import
    N3
  • こと
    • ·thing; matter
    • ·incident; occurrence; event; something serious; trouble; crisis
    • ·circumstances; situation; state of affairs
    • ·work; business; affair
    • ·after an inflectable word, creates a noun phrase indicating something the speaker does not feel close to
    • ·nominalizing suffix
    • ·pretending to ...; playing make-believe ...
    • ·alias; also known as; otherwise known as; or
    • ·necessity; need
    • ·you should ...; I advise that you ...; it's important to ...
    N3
  • 猿さる
    • ·monkey (esp. the Japanese macaque, Macaca fuscata); ape; non-human primate
    • ·sly person
    • ·idiot; hick
    • ·sliding wooden bolt (for holding a door or window shut)
    • ·clasp used to control the height of a pot-hook
    • ·bathhouse prostitute
    N3
  • 報告ほうこく
    • ·report; information
    N3
  • 実験じっけん
    • ·experiment; experimentation
    N3
  • まず
    • ·first (of all); firstly; to begin with; before anything else
    • ·probably; most likely; almost certainly; virtually
    • ·more or less (satisfactory); on the whole; reasonably
    • ·anyway; at any rate; for now (at least); for the time being
    N3
  • 訓練くんれん
    • ·training; drill; practice; discipline
    N3
  • 棒ぼう
    • ·pole; rod; stick; baton
    • ·line; dash
    • ·spoken monotonously
    N3
  • えさ
    • ·(animal) feed; fodder; pet food
    • ·bait; lure; enticement
    N3
  • よう
    • ·appearing ...; looking ...
    • ·way to ...; method of ...ing
    • ·form; style; design
    • ·like; similar to
    • ·thing (thought or spoken)
    N3
  • 約やく
    • ·approximately; about
    • ·promise; appointment; engagement
    • ·shortening; reduction; simplification
    • ·contraction (in phonetics)
    N3
  • 区別くべつ
    • ·distinction; differentiation; discrimination; difference
    N3
  • 注ちゅう
    • ·annotation; explanatory note; comment
    N3
  • 記録きろく
    • ·record; document; minutes; log; recording; putting on record; keeping a record (of); writing down
    • ·record (e.g. in sports); setting (a record); recording (a record high, etc.)
    N3
Other levels57 words
  • 二つふたつ
    • ·two
    N5
  • 知るしるAs it appears here: 知らない
    • ·to know; to be aware (of); to be conscious (of); to learn (of); to find out; to discover
    • ·to sense; to feel; to notice; to realize
    • ·to understand; to comprehend; to grasp; to appreciate
    • ·to remember; to be familiar with; to be acquainted with
    • ·to experience; to go through; to know (e.g. hardship)
    • ·to get acquainted with (a person); to get to know
    • ·to have to do with; to be concerned with; to be one's concern; to be one's responsibility
    N5
  • 聞くきくAs it appears here: 聞いた
    • ·to hear
    • ·to listen (e.g. to music)
    • ·to ask; to enquire; to query
    • ·to hear about; to hear of; to learn of
    • ·to follow (advice, order, etc.); to obey; to listen to; to comply with
    • ·to hear (e.g. a plea); to grant (a request); to accept (e.g. an argument); to give consideration to
    • ·to smell (esp. incense); to sample (a fragrance)
    • ·to taste (alcohol); to try
    N5
  • その
    • ·that; the
    • ·part (as in "part two")
    • ·um ...; er ...; uh ...
    N5
  • わかるAs it appears here: わからなくて
    • ·to understand; to comprehend; to grasp; to see; to get; to follow
    • ·to become clear; to be known; to be discovered; to be realized (realised); to be found out; to make sense
    • ·I know!; I think so too!
    N5
  • 違うちがう
    • ·to differ (from); to be different; to be distinct; to be unlike; to vary; to disagree (with)
    • ·to be wrong; to be incorrect; to be mistaken
    • ·to become abnormal; to go wrong
    • ·isn't it?; wasn't it?
    N5
  • わかる
    • ·to understand; to comprehend; to grasp; to see; to get; to follow
    • ·to become clear; to be known; to be discovered; to be realized (realised); to be found out; to make sense
    • ·I know!; I think so too!
    N5
  • 同じおなじ
    • ·same; identical; equal; alike; equivalent
    • ·anyway; in any case; if one must ...; if one has to ...; as long as ...
    N5
  • ある
    • ·to be; to exist; to live
    • ·to have
    • ·to be located
    • ·to be equipped with
    • ·to happen; to come about
    • ·to exist (in a completed state); to be (something unchanged in its current state)
    N5
  • どう
    • ·how; in what way; how about
    N5
  • この
    • ·this
    • ·last (couple of years, etc.); these; past; this
    • ·you (as in "you liar")
    N5
  • 鳥とり
    • ·bird
    • ·bird meat (esp. chicken meat); fowl; poultry
    N5
  • 前まえ
    • ·in front (of); before (e.g. a building)
    • ·before; earlier; previously; prior; ago; (minutes) to (the hour)
    • ·(the) front; frontal part; fore; head (e.g. of a line)
    • ·forward; ahead
    • ·(in the) presence (of); in front (of someone)
    • ·previous (e.g. page); prior (e.g. engagement); first (e.g. half); former (e.g. example)
    • ·portion; helping
    • ·front (of one's body or clothing); breast (of a coat, kimono, etc.)
    • ·privates; private parts
    • ·criminal record; previous conviction; (a) prior
    N5
  • 英語えいご
    • ·English (language)
    N5
  • 人ひと
    • ·person; someone; somebody
    • ·human beings; mankind; man; people; humans
    • ·human (Homo sapiens)
    • ·(other) people; others
    • ·character; personality; nature
    • ·capable person; competent person; suitable person; right person
    • ·adult; grown-up
    • ·I; me; one
    N5
  • するAs it appears here: された
    • ·to do; to carry out; to perform
    • ·to cause to become; to make (into); to turn (into)
    • ·to serve as; to act as; to work as
    • ·to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
    • ·to judge as being; to view as being; to think of as; to treat as; to use as
    • ·to decide on; to choose
    • ·to be sensed (of a smell, noise, etc.)
    • ·to be (in a state, condition, etc.)
    • ·to be worth; to cost
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    • ·to place, or raise, person A to a post or status B
    • ·to transform A to B; to make A into B; to exchange A for B
    • ·to make use of A for B; to view A as B; to handle A as if it were B
    • ·to feel A about B
    • ·verbalizing suffix (applies to nouns noted in this dictionary with the part of speech "vs")
    • ·creates a humble verb (after a noun prefixed with "o" or "go")
    • ·to be just about to; to be just starting to; to try to; to attempt to
    N5
  • 読むよむAs it appears here: 読んで
    • ·to read
    • ·to recite (e.g. a sutra); to chant
    • ·to predict; to guess; to forecast; to read (someone's thoughts); to see (e.g. into someone's heart); to divine
    • ·to pronounce; to read (e.g. a kanji)
    • ·to decipher; to read (a meter, graph, music, etc.); to tell (the time)
    • ·to count; to estimate
    • ·to read (a kanji) with its native Japanese reading
    N5
  • する
    • ·to do; to carry out; to perform
    • ·to cause to become; to make (into); to turn (into)
    • ·to serve as; to act as; to work as
    • ·to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
    • ·to judge as being; to view as being; to think of as; to treat as; to use as
    • ·to decide on; to choose
    • ·to be sensed (of a smell, noise, etc.)
    • ·to be (in a state, condition, etc.)
    • ·to be worth; to cost
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    • ·to place, or raise, person A to a post or status B
    • ·to transform A to B; to make A into B; to exchange A for B
    • ·to make use of A for B; to view A as B; to handle A as if it were B
    • ·to feel A about B
    • ·verbalizing suffix (applies to nouns noted in this dictionary with the part of speech "vs")
    • ·creates a humble verb (after a noun prefixed with "o" or "go")
    • ·to be just about to; to be just starting to; to try to; to attempt to
    N5
  • 次つぎ
    • ·next; following; subsequent
    • ·stage; station
    N5
  • 本ほん
    • ·book; volume; script
    • ·this; present; current; ... in question; ... at issue
    • ·main; head; principal
    • ·real; genuine; regular; proper
    • ·counter for long, thin objects (sticks, tubes, strings, bottles, pillars, rivers, rail lines, etc.)
    • ·counter for films, TV shows, etc.
    • ·counter for telephone calls, letters, and emails
    • ·counter for goals, home runs, etc.
    • ·counter for rounds or points (in judo, kendo, etc.)
    N5
  • 箱はこ
    • ·box; case; chest; package; pack; crate
    • ·car (of a train, etc.)
    • ·shamisen case; shamisen
    • ·public building; community building
    • ·man who carries a geisha's shamisen
    • ·receptacle for human waste; feces (faeces)
    • ·counter for boxes (or boxed objects)
    N5
  • 入れるいれるAs it appears here: 入れ
    • ·to put in; to let in; to take in; to bring in; to insert; to install (e.g. software); to set (a jewel, etc.); to ink in (e.g. tattoo)
    • ·to admit; to accept; to employ; to hire
    • ·to accept; to comply; to grant; to adopt (a policy, etc.); to take (advice, etc.); to listen to; to pay attention to
    • ·to include
    • ·to pay (one's rent, etc.)
    • ·to cast (a vote)
    • ·to make (tea, coffee, etc.)
    • ·to turn on (a switch, etc.)
    • ·to send (a fax); to call
    N5
  • 止まるとまるAs it appears here: 止まらせて
    • ·to stop (moving); to come to a stop
    • ·to stop (doing, working, being supplied); to come to a halt; to cease; to be stopped; to be suspended
    • ·to alight; to perch on
    N5
  • するAs it appears here: した
    • ·to do; to carry out; to perform
    • ·to cause to become; to make (into); to turn (into)
    • ·to serve as; to act as; to work as
    • ·to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
    • ·to judge as being; to view as being; to think of as; to treat as; to use as
    • ·to decide on; to choose
    • ·to be sensed (of a smell, noise, etc.)
    • ·to be (in a state, condition, etc.)
    • ·to be worth; to cost
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    • ·to place, or raise, person A to a post or status B
    • ·to transform A to B; to make A into B; to exchange A for B
    • ·to make use of A for B; to view A as B; to handle A as if it were B
    • ·to feel A about B
    • ·verbalizing suffix (applies to nouns noted in this dictionary with the part of speech "vs")
    • ·creates a humble verb (after a noun prefixed with "o" or "go")
    • ·to be just about to; to be just starting to; to try to; to attempt to
    N5
  • 声こえ
    • ·voice
    • ·singing (of a bird); chirping (of an insect); hoot
    • ·voice; opinion (as expressed in words); view; wish; attitude; will
    • ·sound
    • ·sense (of something's arrival); feeling
    • ·voice; voiced sound
    N5
  • 聞くきくAs it appears here: 聞かせる
    • ·to hear
    • ·to listen (e.g. to music)
    • ·to ask; to enquire; to query
    • ·to hear about; to hear of; to learn of
    • ·to follow (advice, order, etc.); to obey; to listen to; to comply with
    • ·to hear (e.g. a plea); to grant (a request); to accept (e.g. an argument); to give consideration to
    • ·to smell (esp. incense); to sample (a fragrance)
    • ·to taste (alcohol); to try
    N5
  • 聞くきくAs it appears here: 聞いて
    • ·to hear
    • ·to listen (e.g. to music)
    • ·to ask; to enquire; to query
    • ·to hear about; to hear of; to learn of
    • ·to follow (advice, order, etc.); to obey; to listen to; to comply with
    • ·to hear (e.g. a plea); to grant (a request); to accept (e.g. an argument); to give consideration to
    • ·to smell (esp. incense); to sample (a fragrance)
    • ·to taste (alcohol); to try
    N5
  • 使うつかうAs it appears here: 使った
    • ·to use (a tool, method, etc.); to make use of; to put to use
    • ·to use (a person, animal, puppet, etc.); to employ; to handle; to manage; to manipulate
    • ·to use (time, money, etc.); to spend; to consume
    • ·to use (language); to speak
    N5
  • できるAs it appears here: できた
    • ·to be able to do; to be possible; to be permitted (to do)
    • ·to be good at; to do well; to be proficient (in); to be capable
    • ·to come into existence; to form; to appear; to come up (of a matter); to be born; to make (a friend); to get (a girlfriend, free time, etc.)
    • ·to be made; to be built; to be constructed; to be formed; to be established; to be set up
    • ·to be finished; to be completed; to be done; to be ready
    • ·to grow (of a crop); to be produced
    • ·to be mature and well-balanced; to be of fine character
    • ·to be by nature; to be born ...
    • ·to become (sexually) involved (with); to become intimate (with); to take up (with someone)
    • ·to get pregnant
    N5
  • なぜ
    • ·why; how; for what reason
    N5
  • できる
    • ·to be able to do; to be possible; to be permitted (to do)
    • ·to be good at; to do well; to be proficient (in); to be capable
    • ·to come into existence; to form; to appear; to come up (of a matter); to be born; to make (a friend); to get (a girlfriend, free time, etc.)
    • ·to be made; to be built; to be constructed; to be formed; to be established; to be set up
    • ·to be finished; to be completed; to be done; to be ready
    • ·to grow (of a crop); to be produced
    • ·to be mature and well-balanced; to be of fine character
    • ·to be by nature; to be born ...
    • ·to become (sexually) involved (with); to become intimate (with); to take up (with someone)
    • ·to get pregnant
    N5
  • まだ
    • ·still; as yet; only
    • ·(not) yet
    • ·more; (more) still
    • ·at least; comparatively; relatively
    • ·unfinished; incomplete; not yet done
    N5
  • わかるAs it appears here: わからない
    • ·to understand; to comprehend; to grasp; to see; to get; to follow
    • ·to become clear; to be known; to be discovered; to be realized (realised); to be found out; to make sense
    • ·I know!; I think so too!
    N5
  • 鍵かぎ
    • ·key
    • ·lock
    • ·key (to a problem, success, etc.); clue
    N5
  • なる
    • ·to become; to get; to grow; to turn; to reach; to attain
    • ·to result in; to turn out; to end up; to prove (to be)
    • ·to consist of; to be composed of; to be made up of
    • ·to be completed; to be realized; to succeed; to be attained; to be accomplished
    • ·to change (into); to turn (into); to transform
    • ·to come (to do); to begin (to do); to grow (to do)
    • ·to come to; to amount to; to add up to; to make
    • ·to play (the part of); to act as
    • ·to be used for; to be useful for; to serve as
    • ·to be promoted
    • ·to do ...
    N5
  • 力ちから
    • ·force; strength; might; vigour; vigor; energy
    • ·capability; ability; proficiency; capacity; faculty
    • ·efficacy; effect
    • ·effort; endeavours; endeavors; exertions
    • ·power; authority; influence; good offices; agency
    • ·support; help; aid; assistance
    • ·stress; emphasis
    • ·means; resources
    N4
  • 調べるしらべるAs it appears here: 調べた
    • ·to examine; to look up; to investigate; to check up; to sense; to study; to inquire; to search
    N4
  • 始めるはじめる
    • ·to start; to begin; to commence; to initiate; to originate
    • ·to start up (a business, society, etc.); to open (e.g. a store); to establish
    • ·to start ...; to begin to ...
    N4
  • 翻訳ほんやく
    • ·translation
    • ·deciphering; decoding
    • ·translation
    N4
  • 小説しょうせつ
    • ·novel; story; (work of) fiction
    N4
  • 移るうつるAs it appears here: 移ったら
    • ·to move (to another place or state); to change (e.g. of state, affiliation, scenery, etc.); to be transferred
    • ·to spread (of a fire, smell, etc.); to catch (an illness); to be infected; to be contagious
    • ·to move (e.g. of one's focus); to change (e.g. of one's interest)
    • ·to be permeated (by a color or scent); to seep into
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    N4
  • 移るうつるAs it appears here: 移って
    • ·to move (to another place or state); to change (e.g. of state, affiliation, scenery, etc.); to be transferred
    • ·to spread (of a fire, smell, etc.); to catch (an illness); to be infected; to be contagious
    • ·to move (e.g. of one's focus); to change (e.g. of one's interest)
    • ·to be permeated (by a color or scent); to seep into
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    N4
  • 割合わりあい
    • ·rate; ratio; percentage; proportion
    • ·comparatively
    • ·contrary to expectations
    N4
  • 動くうごくAs it appears here: 動いた
    • ·to move; to stir; to shift; to shake; to swing
    • ·to operate; to run; to go; to work
    • ·to make a move; to take action; to act; to go into action
    • ·to be touched; to be influenced
    • ·to change; to vary; to fluctuate; to waver
    • ·to be transferred
    N4
  • 移るうつるAs it appears here: 移った
    • ·to move (to another place or state); to change (e.g. of state, affiliation, scenery, etc.); to be transferred
    • ·to spread (of a fire, smell, etc.); to catch (an illness); to be infected; to be contagious
    • ·to move (e.g. of one's focus); to change (e.g. of one's interest)
    • ·to be permeated (by a color or scent); to seep into
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    N4
  • または
    • ·or; either ... or ...
    N4
  • 移るうつるAs it appears here: 移らなかった
    • ·to move (to another place or state); to change (e.g. of state, affiliation, scenery, etc.); to be transferred
    • ·to spread (of a fire, smell, etc.); to catch (an illness); to be infected; to be contagious
    • ·to move (e.g. of one's focus); to change (e.g. of one's interest)
    • ·to be permeated (by a color or scent); to seep into
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    N4
  • 別べつ
    • ·distinction; difference; discrimination
    • ·separate; different; another; extra
    • ·exception; exclusion
    • ·classified by; ranked by; according to
    N4
  • 研究けんきゅう
    • ·research; study; investigation
    N4
  • 考えるかんがえるAs it appears here: 考えられて
    • ·to think (about, of); to think over; to ponder; to contemplate; to reflect (on); to meditate (on)
    • ·to consider; to bear in mind; to allow for; to take into consideration
    • ·to think (that); to believe; to hold (a view); to judge; to conclude; to suspect
    • ·to intend (to do); to think of (doing); to plan
    • ·to predict; to anticipate; to expect; to imagine
    • ·to come up with; to think up; to contrive; to devise
    • ·to consider (as); to regard (as); to look on (as); to take; to view
    N4
  • 音おと
    • ·sound; noise
    • ·(musical) note
    • ·fame
    N4
  • 録音ろくおん
    • ·(audio) recording
    N2
  • 本のほんの
    • ·mere; only; just; slight
    N1
  • やる
    • ·to do; to undertake; to perform; to play (a game); to study
    • ·to send; to dispatch; to despatch
    • ·to put; to move; to turn (one's head, glance, etc.)
    • ·to give (esp. to someone of equal or lower status); to let have; to present; to bestow; to confer
    • ·to make (a vehicle) go faster
    • ·to run (a business); to keep; to be engaged in; to practice (law, medicine, etc.); to practise
    • ·to have (food, drink, etc.); to eat; to drink; to smoke
    • ·to hold (a performance); to perform; to show
    • ·to ease (one's mind)
    • ·to harm; to injure; to kill
    • ·to have sex; to fuck; to bang
    • ·to live; to get by; to get along
    • ·to do ... completely
    • ·to do ... broadly; to do ... to a great distance
    • ·to do ... for (someone of equal or lower status); to do ... to
    • ·to make active efforts to ...
    • ·to suffer from (an illness); to experience (a medical condition); to be afflicted with
    N1
  • やるAs it appears here: やらない
    • ·to do; to undertake; to perform; to play (a game); to study
    • ·to send; to dispatch; to despatch
    • ·to put; to move; to turn (one's head, glance, etc.)
    • ·to give (esp. to someone of equal or lower status); to let have; to present; to bestow; to confer
    • ·to make (a vehicle) go faster
    • ·to run (a business); to keep; to be engaged in; to practice (law, medicine, etc.); to practise
    • ·to have (food, drink, etc.); to eat; to drink; to smoke
    • ·to hold (a performance); to perform; to show
    • ·to ease (one's mind)
    • ·to harm; to injure; to kill
    • ·to have sex; to fuck; to bang
    • ·to live; to get by; to get along
    • ·to do ... completely
    • ·to do ... broadly; to do ... to a great distance
    • ·to do ... for (someone of equal or lower status); to do ... to
    • ·to make active efforts to ...
    • ·to suffer from (an illness); to experience (a medical condition); to be afflicted with
    N1
  • 正しくまさしく
    • ·certainly; surely; undoubtedly; evidently; really; truly
    • ·just; precisely; exactly
    N1
  • 正解せいかい
    • ·correct answer; right solution; correct interpretation
    • ·right decision; right choice; appropriate judgement
    N1
Grammar1 patterns

Example sentences are translated by AI.

  • というN32 times in this passage

    Quotative marker plus 'say' that introduces a name, definition, or reported content — 'called', 'known as', 'that (one) says'.

    猿にも同じ力があるという報告がある。

    There are reports that monkeys have the same ability.

Other levels18 patterns
  • ということはN2

    Draws a logical conclusion or restatement from a preceding fact — "which means…, in other words…, that is to say…".

    人間は二つの知らない言語を聞いたとき、その内容はわからなくても、違う言語だということはわかる。

    When humans hear two languages they do not know, even if they cannot understand the content, they can still tell that the languages are different.

  • ときN43 times in this passage

    Marks the time at which something happens — "when X, Y."

    人間は二つの知らない言語を聞いたとき、その内容はわからなくても、違う言語だということはわかる。

    When humans hear two languages they do not know, even if they cannot understand the content, they can still tell that the languages are different.

  • てもN42 times in this passage

    Concessive — 'even if / even though …'; the main clause holds regardless of the te-clause.

    人間は二つの知らない言語を聞いたとき、その内容はわからなくても、違う言語だということはわかる。

    When humans hear two languages they do not know, even if they cannot understand the content, they can still tell that the languages are different.

  • 〜ておくN4

    Verb te-form plus 置く, doing something in advance as preparation or leaving it done for later — 'do ... in advance'.

    文鳥を棒が2本ある箱に入れ、1本に止まらせておく。

    A Java sparrow was placed in a box containing two perches and made to stay on one of them.

  • たらN4

    Conditional/temporal ending on the plain-past stem meaning that once or if the first action happens, the second follows ('if / once / when ... then').

    英語を聞いてもう1本の棒に移ったら、えさをやる。

    If it heard English and moved to the other perch, it was given food.

  • ようだN4

    Expresses conjecture or resemblance drawn from evidence, "it seems / looks like".

    このような訓練の後で実験をすると、文鳥は約75%の割合で正しく動いた（実験では、英語を聞いて移ったとき、または中国語を聞いて移らなかったときを正解にした）。

    After this kind of training, when the experiment was conducted, the Java sparrows responded correctly about 75% of the time (in the experiment, moving after hearing English or not moving after hearing Chinese was counted as correct).

  • 後で（あとで）N4

    Indicates doing something afterward, or after another action or event — 'later; afterward; after'.

    このような訓練の後で実験をすると、文鳥は約75%の割合で正しく動いた（実験では、英語を聞いて移ったとき、または中国語を聞いて移らなかったときを正解にした）。

    After this kind of training, when the experiment was conducted, the Java sparrows responded correctly about 75% of the time (in the experiment, moving after hearing English or not moving after hearing Chinese was counted as correct).

  • またはN4

    Connects two alternatives in a choice, "A or B".

    このような訓練の後で実験をすると、文鳥は約75%の割合で正しく動いた（実験では、英語を聞いて移ったとき、または中国語を聞いて移らなかったときを正解にした）。

    After this kind of training, when the experiment was conducted, the Java sparrows responded correctly about 75% of the time (in the experiment, moving after hearing English or not moving after hearing Chinese was counted as correct).

  • かもしれないN4

    Expresses possibility or conjecture — 'might', 'maybe', 'perhaps'.

    文鳥がなぜ区別できるのかまだわからないが、この研究は人間の言語の謎を解く鍵になるかもしれないと考えられている。

    It is still unknown why Java sparrows can distinguish between the languages, but this research is thought to have the potential to provide a key to solving the mysteries of human language.

  • などN4

    Lists one or more representative items and implies others of the same kind exist — 'and so on / etc. / such as'.

    （注）録音する：CDやカセットテープなどに声や音を記録する

    (Note) To record: to store voices or sounds on a CD, cassette tape, etc.

  • がありますN53 times in this passage

    States the existence or possession of an inanimate thing, "there is / to have".

    猿にも同じ力があるという報告がある。

    There are reports that monkeys have the same ability.

  • だろうN5

    Presumptive expressing conjecture — 'probably', 'I think', or seeking agreement 'right?'; plain だろう / polite でしょう.

    では、鳥類はどうだろうか。

    What about birds, then?

  • 前に（まえに）N5

    Marks that something happens before an action or in front of a place — "before (doing) / in front of."

    実験を始める前に、まず、英語も中国語も同じように話せる人に、それぞれの言語に翻訳された、ある日本の小説を読んでもらって録音する。

    Before beginning the experiment, the researchers first had a person who could speak English and Chinese equally well read a Japanese novel translated into each language, and they recorded the readings.

  • そしてN5

    Additive/sequential conjunction joining clauses, 'and / and then'.

    そして、録音した声を聞かせる。

    Then the recorded voice was played to the bird.

  • もうN52 times in this passage

    The adverb "already" (with an affirmative), or "(not) anymore / any longer" (with a negative).

    英語を聞いてもう1本の棒に移ったら、えさをやる。

    If it heard English and moved to the other perch, it was given food.

  • にするN5

    To decide on or turn something into a given state or choice, 'to make it ~ / to go with ~.'

    このような訓練の後で実験をすると、文鳥は約75%の割合で正しく動いた（実験では、英語を聞いて移ったとき、または中国語を聞いて移らなかったときを正解にした）。

    After this kind of training, when the experiment was conducted, the Java sparrows responded correctly about 75% of the time (in the experiment, moving after hearing English or not moving after hearing Chinese was counted as correct).

  • まだN5

    Adverb showing an action or state still continues, or (with a negative) has not happened yet — "still / (not) yet."

    文鳥がなぜ区別できるのかまだわからないが、この研究は人間の言語の謎を解く鍵になるかもしれないと考えられている。

    It is still unknown why Java sparrows can distinguish between the languages, but this research is thought to have the potential to provide a key to solving the mysteries of human language.

  • 〜ているN5

    Describes an action in progress or the state that remains after an action happened — “is doing” or “is in the state of having done”.

    文鳥がなぜ区別できるのかまだわからないが、この研究は人間の言語の謎を解く鍵になるかもしれないと考えられている。

    It is still unknown why Java sparrows can distinguish between the languages, but this research is thought to have the potential to provide a key to solving the mysteries of human language.

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