原文视听

The idea that we can understand barking
我们可以把狗的叫声当作一门语言来理解
almost like a language has always been dismissed by scientists.
但这却从未引起科学家的关注
But in Hungary, they are trying to see if
而在匈牙利 我们尝试研究
there's any evidence to back up the claims made by dog owners.
能够支持那些狗主人言论的证据
Here, at eotvos lorand university in budapest,
这里是布拉佩斯的俄塔斯罗兰大学
Is the world's first research facility
这是世界上首个研究
dedicated to investigating the human/dog relationship.
人狗之间关系的实验室
Dr Adam Miklosi wants to see
亚当·米克洛斯博士想知道
if we humans really can understand dogs' barks.
人类是否真的可以理解狗的叫声
Today, he's out on a field expedition collecting recordings.
今天他将在旷野上收集相关的记录
Scientists used to think that barking is
科学家总是认为狗吠只是随意的声音
a random noise without any specific information or content.
并不具备任何明确的信息或内容
However, we have a different idea.
然而 我们有了不同的意见
Dogs might tell us something about their emotions,
狗狗可能试图和我们分享他们的情绪
anger, fear, happiness, despair.
愤怒 害怕 高兴 失望
These are basic emotions which I think
我认为这些是最基本的情绪
humans might be able to recognise in the barking sound.
人们可以通过狗的叫声识别出这些
To test this idea, Adam and his team acted out
为了证实该观点 亚当和他的团队
a number of scenarios, provoking dogs to bark in different ways.
设想了许多方法刺激狗用不同的声音吠叫
But when the recordings are played back to people,
但是当这些记录放回给人们听时
will they be able to match the bark to the emotion?
他们能够察觉到狗狗吠叫时的情绪吗

重点解释

But in Hungary, they are trying to see if there's any evidence to back up the claims made by dog owners.而在匈牙利我们尝试研究能够支持那些狗主人言论的证据

back up:支持；援助

Do you have any facts to back up all this?

你有可以证明这一切的任何事实吗?

To test this idea, Adam and his team acted out a number of scenarios, provoking dogs to bark in different ways.为了证实该观点亚当和他的团队设想了许多方法刺激狗用不同的声音吠叫

act out:将…付诸行动

All his life he tried to act out his beliefs.

他一生致力于把自己的信仰变成行动。

They are determined to act out their ideal.

她们决心把自己的理想变成行动。

a number of:许多；若干（后接可数名词的复数形式）

The company made a number of rules and regulations.

公司制定了若干条规章制度。

A number of questions came up at the meeting.

会议上提出了许多问题。