【趣谈英语】打哈欠是一种交流形式-Yawning Is A Form Of Communication

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

 

involuntary: occurs without one’s control (e.g. a reflex)

contagious¹: spreads from one person to another

empathy: the understanding or acknowledgment of another person’s feelings

phenomenon: an observance in nature (often causing wonder)

vertebrate: animals with a backbone² or spine³

 

Yawning Is A Form Of Communication

Yawning doesn’t always mean you are tired. This involuntary action is an expression of many different feelings. People often yawn when they don’t agree with a person or when they feel bored. They may also yawn when they are angry or nervous. Some scientists believe that yawning cools down the brain. Yawning is often followed by stretching, which may be exactly what the body needs when it is upset, bored, or nervous. Yawning is a contagious reflex. When you see someone yawn, it often causes you to yawn. In fact, just thinking about yawning can make you yawn! Psychologists believe yawning is a way of showing empathy. Contagious yawning is not just a human phenomenon. Almost all vertebrates yawn. Some theories suggest that yawning helps animals stay alert. Yawning awakens⁴ many parts of the body, including the jaw⁵, lungs, and abdominal⁶ muscles. Opening the mouth wide also allows animals to bare their teeth. Next time you yawn, ask yourself this question: What am I trying to communicate?

1 contagious   

adj.传染性的，有感染力的

参考例句：

• It's a highly contagious infection.这种病极易传染。
• He's got a contagious laugh.他的笑富有感染力。

2 backbone   

n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气

参考例句：

• The Chinese people have backbone.中国人民有骨气。
• The backbone is an articulate structure.脊椎骨是一种关节相连的结构。

3 spine   

n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊

参考例句：

• He broke his spine in a fall from a horse.他从马上跌下摔断了脊梁骨。
• His spine developed a slight curve.他的脊柱有点弯曲。

4 awakens   

v.（使）醒( awaken的第三人称单数 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到

参考例句：

• The scene awakens reminiscences of my youth. 这景象唤起我年轻时的往事。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The child awakens early in the morning. 这个小孩早晨醒得早。 来自辞典例句

5 jaw   

n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训

参考例句：

• He delivered a right hook to his opponent's jaw.他给了对方下巴一记右钩拳。
• A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志。

6 abdominal   

adj.腹（部）的，下腹的；n.腹肌

参考例句：

• The abdominal aorta is normally smaller than the thoracic aorta.腹主动脉一般比胸主动脉小。
• Abdominal tissues sometimes adhere after an operation.手术之后腹部有时会出现粘连。