EZCNN 易英网

A Synthesis of the Senses 联觉：谜样的感官世界

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

We all see the world a little differently, although we can usually agree on the color, shape or size of something. But what if you were asked to identify a number seven and all you saw was yellow? Or what if you played the piano and started to see a rainbow of colors as you moved up and down the scales? If you have ever experienced anything like this, chances are you’re a synesthete.

我们每个人看世界的方式多少有些不同，即便我们对某物的颜色、形状或大小通常有一致的看法。但是，如果有人要你认出数字「7」，你看见的却只是一片黄色呢？或者，当你的手指在钢琴音阶上来回弹奏，眼前却看到七彩的颜色？假如你有以上类似的经验，你很有可能是个联觉人。

Synesthetes have an unusual condition called synesthesia, which literally means “to perceive together.” Synesthesia appears to be hereditary and it mainly affects women, most of whom are likely to be left-handed. Synesthetes might hear sounds in response to a smell, or feel something itch in response to seeing certain objects. They may even see colors when they hear particular sounds, such as a piano playing. Musician and synesthete Pharrell Williams says he always visualizes his music as weird colors.

联觉人拥有一种不寻常的症状叫「共感」，字面意义为「感知的混合」。共感似乎具遗传性，且主要发生在女性身上，这些女性大多可能是左撇子。联觉人可能会在闻到味道时听到声音，或看到特定物体时觉得搔痒。他们甚至听到特定声音，如钢琴弹奏声时会看到颜色。例如音乐人菲瑞．威廉斯便是位联觉人，他说常把自己的音乐看成怪异的颜色。

People who involuntarily taste things when they hear words are experiencing another symptom of “joined senses.” Hearing the word “microscope” might make them taste carrots. Even hearing someone’s name might make them taste something. The name “John” might taste like ice cream, while the name “Andy” tastes like onions. Although it might seem strange at times, most synesthetes agree they wouldn’t give up the chance to see the world in a much different way than most of us ever will.

听到单字便会不自觉地尝到味道的人，经历的是另一种「共感」症状。听到「显微镜」这个字，可能令他们尝到胡萝卜的味道；甚至听到某人名字也会令他们产生味觉。例如「约翰」这个名字可能尝起来像冰淇淋，而「安迪」则尝起来像洋葱。虽然这有时听起来有点古怪，但多数联觉人都同意，他们不会放弃这个与常人大不相同的看世界方式。

−by Sean Stevenson

Vocabulary

单词发音

agree on 就...取得一致意见

chances are 很有可能

perceive [pɚˋsiv] v. 察觉；感知

in response to 对……的反应

visualize [ˋvɪʒʊə͵laɪz] v. 形象化

involuntarily [ɪnˋvɑlən͵tɛrəlɪ] adv. 不由自主地；本能地

symptom [ˋsɪmptəm] n. 症状

at times 有时；偶尔  sometimes; occasionally

More Information

单词发音

synthesis [ˋsɪnθəsɪs] n. 合成

scale [skel] n.【音】音阶

synesthete ['sɪnəsˌθit] n. 联觉人

synesthesia [ˌsɪnəs'θiʒɪə] n. 联觉；共感觉

hereditary [həˋrɛdə͵tɛrɪ] adj. 遗传的

left-handed [ˋlɛftˋhædɪd] adj. 左撇的

carrot [ˋkærət] n. 胡萝卜

Reading Questions

1.   The word “hereditary” in second paragraph is closest in meaning to ______.

A. rare

B. genetic

C. dangerous

D. random

2.   How do synesthetes perceive their environment?

A. Through a unique interaction of different senses.

B. Through sight and taste only.

C. By eliminating all other senses and focusing on one.

D. By touching things with their left hand only.

3.   What is the writer’s main purpose for writing this article?

A. To explain the difference between the five senses.

B. To illustrate how doctors have been able to help synesthetes.

C. To discuss the importance of perceiving things clearly.

D. To explain how synesthetes experience the world.

I'm a synesthete!

 Answer