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　　Finn: Hello, I’m Finn. This is 6 Minute English and I’m joined this week by Neil. Hello Neil.

　　Finn: Actually that wasn't Neil, you'll be glad to know, he is safe and sound here in the studio with me.

　　Neil: Hello. Yes, that wonderful sound you just heard was in fact a gelada - a kind of monkey - which we'll be hearing more from later in the programme.

　　Finn: Yes. Could the gelada monkey provide an important clue about the development of human language? But first, as always, we have a question. Neil - could you please tell me what geladas eat?

　　Neil: Well, I can see you're trying to trap me with ice-cream here, because the name of the monkey sounds like the Italian word for ice-cream. So, I'm not that stupid, I'm going to go for 'b', grass.

　　Finn: Wonderful knowledge of Italian there Neil. Don't worry I'm not trying to make a monkey out of you - I'm not trying to make you look stupid. Now let's listen to the gelada monkey again. How would we describe that sound?

　　Neil: Well, it sounds a bit like a gargle - a gargling noise.

　　Finn: Yes, it does. Gargle is a great word because it's an example of what we call onomatopoeia - a word which sounds like its meaning. Neil, gargle is the word, could you please demonstrate a gargle?

　　Finn: Very good. Neil is gargling - and the sound it makes is a gargle. That's lovely!

　　Finn: Yes, you can stop now. Thank you very much. How about another quick example of onomatopoeia:

　　Finn: Now, anyway, let's get back to the gargling monkey. Behind the fun sound is some serious science - about the origins, or beginnings, of human speech.

　　Neil: Scientists from the University of Michigan believe that these gelada calls might be similar to the primitive noises - early and simple sounds - that our evolutionary ancestors made, that is - what we, humans, were before we developed into modern humans.

　　Finn: Dr Thore Bergman, who was the main author of the study, said that geladas make sounds which have "speech-like properties" - they have qualities which are like… speech.

　　Neil: And the interesting thing is - most monkeys and apes can only make the most basic noises because they don't have the vocal anatomy required - that is they don't have the physical mouth and throat parts needed - to make more complex sounds.

　　Finn: All other monkeys and apes can do is called lip smacking - rapidly moving their jaws, lips and their tongues. And I think, Neil, it's time for another demonstration please.

　　Neil: The gelada, on the other hand, is the only one that can produce vocalisations - or sounds from the vocal chords in the throat while doing this.

　　Finn: That’s it! So - lip smacking and vocalisations - together are maybe a possible step between the sounds of other monkeys - and human speech.

　　Neil: Though there is a question - the scientists don't know yet what the noises mean exactly. They believe the noises might be used the way humans use small talk - chatting about things that are not really important - to help the monkey societies feel more closely bonded or connected.

　　Finn: That’s right, so, small talk, things like saying: "Fine day, isn't it?"

　　Finn: I think that's quite enough monkey business for one day - quite enough of us being silly, wouldn't you say? Neil, earlier I asked you what geladas eat. Was it:

　　Neil: And I am not stupid so I'm going to go for 'b' grass.

　　Finn: And you're right, they are herbivores, they eat grass. Anyway, before we go let's run through the words and phrases one more time.

　　Finn: Thanks Neil. Sadly, it's time to go. So please join us again soon for more 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English.

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