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課文翻譯與重點分析
| 有些人記憶力異於常人。根據二○○一年的金氏世界紀錄大全，德國人葛特．密特林可以在短短四秒鐘內記住二十二個數字。然而大多數人卻連要記得他們的房門鑰匙放哪兒，或最近剛認識的人叫什麼名字都會有問題。 許多年來，我們在腦中如何儲存及提取資訊的過程一直是科學研究的重心。人腦是個尚未被完全了解而且高度複雜的器官，對於人腦如何運作的理論也一直是科學家辯論的主題。然而，一般同意，大腦中有一個稱為海馬迴的區域對於記得資訊的過程很重要。海馬迴因形狀彎曲像海馬，便以拉丁文的「海馬」這個字命名。 |
1. Some people have extraordinary memories.（見第1行）
(1) memory 當「記性」、「記憶力」（ability or power to remember）時為可數或不可數名詞皆可，當「回憶」（things remembered）解釋時則為可數名詞，且通常使用複數。這裡指的是「記憶力」，因為主詞是複數 some people，memory可使用複數，這句話也可說成：Some people have an extraordinary memory. 類似例子如：
Most people have a better life now.
{ Most people have better lives now.
(2) 請參考Word Power 部分memory一字的搭配詞及其例句。除了課本列出來的搭配詞之外，以下亦為常見用法：
from memory 照記憶
have a memory for 對某事的記性
in memory of 紀念
if my memory serves me correctly/right 如果我沒記錯／如果我的記憶正確
take a stroll/trip down memory lane 感懷往事
例： The children were all able to recite the poem from memory.
I have a poor memory for faces.
The statue was erected in memory of the workers who had died while building this
bridge.
If my memory serves me correctly, he used to work for my father.
They took a stroll down memory lane as they listened to the old albums they had
stacked up in the attic.
2. Most people, though, have trouble at times remembering where they put their door keys, or recalling the names of people they’ve recently met for the first time.（見第4行）
(1) though 在此為副詞用法，意思同 however、nevertheless。
例： Mr. Hawthorne is very knowledgeable and helpful. He can be a bit short-tempered sometimes, though.
(2) have trouble/difficulty (in) + V-ing 很費力
例：I’m having trouble opening these files.
(3) recall v. [T] 記得。可接名詞、動名詞、that 或疑問詞 where、what、how等所引導的名詞子句。
例：Do you recall her phone number?
I recalled spending a Christmas with them.
She recalled (that) she had seen him yelling at his wife once.
Do you recall how to uninstall this program?
recall 的用法同 remember 及recollect，很多時候可以互相取代。但語意上稍有不同。主要差別在於為無意間或有意去回想，以及是否將記得的事說出來：remember為無意之中自然地憶起，且不見得將它說出來；recall指有意地去想起且將它說出來；recollect是有意去回想忘記的事，通常也會將它說出來。請參考下面英文字典及英語學習網站對這三個字的區別：
Remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.
Recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.
Recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.
（以上資料取自 Merriam-Webster Dictionary）
If you remember something, you recall people or events to your mind. (It would not imply that the experience was talked about.)
When you recall something, you remember it and tell others about it.
If you recollect something, you remember it and usually talk about it.
（以上資料取自Learning English BBC World Service. 網址：
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv204.shtml）
3. The process by which we store and retrieve information in our brains has been the focus of scientific research for many years.（見第7行）
For many years, scientists have been seriously studying the human brain. They are especially interested in how the brain holds and remembers information.
(1) 這個句子的主詞為 the process，動詞為 has been，而關係子句by which we store and retrieve information in our brains用來修飾先行詞 the process。其中關係代名詞 which 作為介系詞 by 的受詞。原句由下面兩個句子合併而來：
A certain process has been the focus of scientific research for many years.
We store and retrieve information in our brains by/through this process.
原句可寫成The process through which we store and retrieve information in our brains has been the focus of scientific research for many years.
作為介系詞之受詞的關係代名詞這類句型，請參考本課 Grammar Focus I的說明。
(2) research n. [U] 研究；調查
research v. [T, I] 研究；調查
research on/into 某方面的研究
do/conduct/carry out/undertake research 進行研究
research and development (R&D) （產品的）研究和開發
例：Many people are hoping that research on/into stem cells may lead to cures for
some fatal diseases.
I am researching (on) how Mexican immigrants adapt to American society.
= I am doing research on how Mexican immigrants adapt to American society.
Five percent of the company’s turnover is invested in R&D.
4. The brain is a highly complex organ that is not fully understood, and theories regarding how it works remain a topic of debate.（見第9行）
The brain is a very complicated organ, and there are still many things about it that we don’t know. Many explanations of how the brain functions have been given, but they are in disagreement with each other.
(1) highly adv. 高度地
例：The president’s inauguration speech was highly praised.
(2) a topic of debate/discussion/conversation
辯論／討論／會話的主題
例：Relationships are always a topic of conversation among people of my age.
| 當我們經歷某件事，資訊便經由我們的感官傳遞到海馬迴中處理。 雖然記憶形成的過程還沒完全被了解，一般認為這個過程牽涉到三個主要步驟。科學家相信被稱為「神經原」的腦細胞會先將我們感受到的感官刺激轉換成意象，形成即時記憶。然後，這些意象被送到海馬迴，暫時儲存起來，形成短期記憶。在海馬迴中，資訊會被組織，而就是在這個過程中，有些我們經驗當中的意象會慢慢消失。最後，一些特定的資訊會在大腦前葉，稱為「大腦皮質」的部分，轉換成長期記憶。科學家相信這個 |
5. When we experience something, the information is transmitted via our senses to the hippocampus, where it is processed.（見第17行）
When something happens to us, the information about this experience is sent to the hippocampus through our senses, and it is in the hippocampus that the information is dealt with.
(1) transmit v. [T] 傳送；傳染
be transmitted through/via ... 經由……傳送
transmit something from ... to ... 把某物 由……送到……
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) 性病
例：This disease can be transmitted through/via air, food and water.
The photos were transmitted from my cell phone to my computer.
According to statistics, in the U.S., two-thirds of the people who acquire an
STD are under 25.
(2) 這個句子中的關係副詞子句where it is processed為非限定的補述用法（nonrestrictive relative clause），補充有關the hippocampus的資訊，故關係副詞where前面必須有逗號。
6. Although the process of creating memories is only partially understood, it is thought to involve three main steps.（見第19行）
(1) partially adv. 部分地；不完全地
partially 當此解釋時，用法同partly。
例： I am partially/partly responsible for the accident.
(2) ..., it is thought to involve three main steps.
..., people think that there are three steps to creating memories.
這裡it 指的是 the process of creating memories。
7. Scientists believe that brain cells called neurons first transform the sensory stimuli we experience into images in our immediate memory.（見第20行）
According to scientists, when we experience something through our senses (for example, by seeing or touching or smelling it), the information is changed into pictures in our immediate memory. This change is caused by “neurons,” which are a kind of cell in our brain.
(1) transform ... into ... 使……改變成……
例： Success has transformed her into an arrogant person.
She has been transformed into an arrogant person (by her success).
(2) immediate memory 即時記憶
short-term memory 短期記憶
long-term memory 長期記憶
have a long memory 記得很久
have a short memory 記不久
例：Mr. Rice has a long memory; he doesn’t forget or forgive.
I have a short memory when it comes to birthdays and anniversaries.
根據記憶持續的時間，記憶可分為三種不同的類型，即本段所提出的「即時記憶」、「短期記憶」和「長期記憶」。其中，「即時記憶」除了immediate memory之外，也可稱為sensory memory，其持續的時間大約是兩百到五百毫秒；「短期記憶」則是幾秒鐘到一分鐘，而「長期記憶」可持續許久，甚至是一輩子。此外，就記憶的容量來說，「即時記憶」和「短期記憶」的容量極有限，而「長期記憶」的容量則大的多。
（資料來源：Memory. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved, May 4, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory）。
8. In the hippocampus, information is organized, and it is during this process that parts of the image of our experience fade away.（見第24行）
It is/was ... that .... 為分裂句（cleft sentence）的句型，把一個句子中需要強調的部分，放在 It is/was 與 that 之間就會形成分裂句。這裡強調的是副詞 during this process。當強調事、物時，亦可用 which 來取代 that，若是強調地方則可用 where，強調時間可用 when，強調人可用 who（強調主詞時）或 whom（強調受詞時）。注意 that 後面動詞的單複數形式必須與 that 前面的名詞或代名詞一致，與主詞 it 沒有關係。
| 文法/句型 It is/was ... that .... The young man she met at the party sent her a dozen red roses via Federal Express this morning. → It was the young man she met at the party that/who sent her a dozen red roses via Federal Express this morning. 強調主詞（人） → It was a dozen red roses that/which the guy she met at the party sent her via Federal Express this morning. 強調受詞（事、物） → It was via Federal Express that the guy she met at the party sent her a dozen red roses this morning. 強調副詞 → It was this morning that/when the guy she met at the party sent her a dozen red roses via Federal Express. 強調副詞（時間） |
9. Finally, certain information is then transferred to long-term memory in a section in the frontal lobe of the brain known as the cerebral cortex.（見第26行）
(1) transfer v. [T] 轉移；運送；轉學
transfer v. [I] 轉移；轉學；換車
transfer ... to ... 轉移某人、物至……；運送某人、物至……；把某人轉學至……
transfer to 遷往；轉學；轉車
例：My parents transferred me to a Catholic school when I was 10.
I (was) transferred to a Catholic school when I was 10.
We had to move because my father (was) transferred to China by his company.
I took the MRT and then transferred to a bus.
(2) known as the cerebral cortex是由關係子句省略關係代名詞 which 及動詞is而來的分詞片語，原句也可說成 ...in a section in the frontal lobe of the brain that/which is known as the cerebral cortex.。
be known as ... 以……（身分）知名
be known for ... 以……（特徵）知名
be known to 為某人所知
例：The island is known for its beautiful beaches.
His generosity is known only to/among his circle of friends.
| 過程可能在我們睡覺時發生，但至於資訊到底是如何從大腦的一區傳送到另一區則仍是個謎。 雖然記憶功能難以了解和分析，記憶的衰退卻是許多人隨著年齡增長會經歷及擔憂的事。在過去，神經病理學者相信因年齡造成的記憶力損傷與腦細胞的總數量有關。這個理論認為，大腦中不可取代的神經細胞數量有限，而隨著年齡增長，我們用掉庫存中可使用的細胞。最近的研究則認為事實可能並非如此，而「神經再生」，也就是新腦細胞的製造，可能終其一生都會發生。並且現在有證據證明，海馬迴的損傷可能在記憶衰退的現象中，扮演著重要的角色。在腦部這一區曾受傷的病人身上所進行的研究顯示，雖然他們仍能記得在腦部受傷前所儲存的記憶，他們卻無法記得新的事情。此外，與年老有關的疾病，像是阿茲海默症以及其他牽涉到 |
10. ..., but exactly how the information is transferred from one area of the brain to another is a mystery.（見第29行）
(1) exactly adv. 確切地；正好地
用來強調，常與 what、where、how等疑問詞合用。
例：What exactly did she say to you?
No one knows exactly where he is.
(2) exactly how the information is transferred from one area of the brain to another 為疑問詞 how 引導的名詞子句，當主詞用。
11. In the past, neuroscientists believed that age-related memory impairment was associated with total numbers of brain cells.（見第34行）
(1) age-related memory impairment = memory impairment that is related to age
age-related adj. 「與年紀有關的」，為複合形容詞。
N-related 與……有關的
例：stress-related 與壓力有關的
work-related 與工作有關的
drug-related 與藥物有關的
(2) be associated with 與……有關
associate A with B 把A與B聯想在一起
associate with 與……為友；結交
例： The low student enrollment this year was found to be associated with the increase
in tuition.
When people think of Donald Trump, they generally associate him with society’s
highest levels of wealth and power.
He associated with a lot of poets and writers when he was in London.
12. The theory was that the brain contained a finite number of irreplaceable neurons, and as we got older, we used up our stock of available cells.（見第36行）
According to this theory, our brain has only a certain number of neurons, and these neurons cannot be replaced by new ones; as we get older, we use up these neurons, and so have fewer and fewer of them.
這個句子中that 引導的名詞子句當補語用。
| 文法/句型 that 引導的名詞子句還可當主詞、受詞及同位語，句型如下： That she is going to run for chairperson of the student association has yet to be confirmed.（當主詞） Numerous studies have concluded that green tea is rich in Vitamin C.（當受詞） What I don’t like about Paris is that there’s dog shit everywhere.（當補語） The rumor that the athlete had taken illegal drugs jeopardized his career. （當同位語） |
13. More recent research suggests that this may not be so and that neurogenesis, or the manufacture of new brain cells, may take place throughout a lifetime.（見第38行）
(1) ... research suggests that ... 研究發現……
suggest還可用show、indicate、demonstrate、reveal 來取代。
(2) V + that ... and that ...
這個句子主要動詞 suggest有兩個受詞：that this may not be so 及that neurogenesis ... may take place throughout a lifetime，這兩個受詞皆為由that引導的子句，並由對等連接詞and連接。這種情況下，第一個子句的that可以省略，但第二個子句的that則不可以省略。
例： She bragged (that) her children are all gifted and that she can afford to send
all of them to study overseas.
(3) or 在這裡用來連接neurogenesis與其同位語the manufacture of new brain cells，the manufacture of new brain cells用來解釋何謂neurogenesis。
例： John F. Kennedy, the youngest president ever elected in the United States, was
assassinated on November 22, 1963, at the age of 46.
14. Also, there is now evidence that damage to the hippocampus may play an important role in memory loss.（見第40行）
(1) cause/do damage to 對……造成損害
例： The severe frost has caused great damage to the crops.
(2) play an important role in ... 扮演重要的角色
例： The support he has gained from his family has played an important role in his
career success.
15. Studies conducted on patients who have suffered damage to this area of the brain show that while they can still recall memories stored before the brain was damaged, they are unable to remember new facts.（見第42行）
(1) while conj. 雖然；儘管
例：While there is no reason to believe that she is guilty, the police still must
bring her in for questioning.
(2) be unable to沒有能力的；沒有辦法的
例：I’m worried that the teacher might think I am stupid because I was unable to
answer any of his questions in class.
16. In addition, diseases associated with old age, such as Alzheimer’s, and other problems involving short- and long-term memory loss, are now being traced to possible damage to the hippocampus.（見第45行）
(1) Diseases associated with old age are now being traced to possible damage to the
hippocampus.
Scientists now think that the kinds of diseases that people often get when they get old may be caused by injury to the hippocampus.
(2) diseases associated with old age = diseases that are associated with old age
problems involving short- and long-term memory loss = problems that involve short-and long-term memory loss
(3) such as 例如；像是
such as 與 for example的句型請參考本課 Grammar Focus II的說明。
(4) be traced to ... 被追溯到；探查（來源）
trace something (back) to something 追溯；探查（來源）
例： Her fear of the dark can be traced back to a specific childhood experience.
| 短期及長期記憶力衰退的問題，現在也都被查出可能導因於海馬迴的損傷。 研究指出提取資訊的能力會受到食物及睡眠影響。譬如，維他命E 能分解一種被稱為「自由基」的化學物質，一般認為這種化學物質會對腦細胞造成無法修復的損害。一些研究建議吃含有維他命E 的食物，像是綠色蔬菜，是減緩因年齡導致記憶衰退的一種方法。雖然沒有確切的證據，但有些人認為像是人參及銀杏這類藥草可以幫助增進注意力集中及 |
17. Vitamin E is, for example, able to break down chemicals, known as free radicals, that are thought to cause irreparable damage to brain cells. （見第50行）
Vitamin E, for example, can destroy chemicals in the brain that may be harmful to brain cells. These chemicals are called “free radicals.”
(1) 這個句子中，known as free radicals (= which are known as free radicals) 為非限定的補述用法，用來補充說明先行詞chemicals，故與先行詞之間必須有逗號。known as free radicals若被省略，並不會影響原句的完整，而後面的關係子句that are thought to cause irreparable damage to brain cells 中的關係代名詞 that的先行詞也是chemicals，但這個關係子句為限定用法 （restrictive relative clause），不可省略，若省略會影響原句的完整。that 之前的逗號並非關係代名詞與先行詞之間的逗號，而是用來隔開插入的分詞片語known as free radicals。原句亦可拆成下列兩個句子：
Vitamin E is, for example, able to break down chemicals that are thought to cause irreparable damage to brain cells.
These chemicals are known as free radicals.
(2) for example置於一個句子中間，通常會放在主詞後面，動詞前面。
例： Some people have a high tolerance for alcohol. My father, for example, never gets drunk no matter how much he drinks.
課本這個句子也可寫成： Vitamin E, for example, is able to break down chemicals ....。將for example置於動詞之後的用法較為少見。這種用法與將for example置於動詞前面的差別只在於作者要強調的重點不同，如：
Vitamin E is, for example, able to break down chemicals...
這個句子強調vitamin E 的功能之一（one of the things that vitamin E can do）。
Vitamin E, for example, is able to break down chemicals...
這個句子強調vitamin E與其他 vitamins 的不同（comparing vitamin E with other vitamins）。
因為這種區別很細微，在這個階段，建議老師不需跟學生解釋，以免學生越學越混淆，只要說明 for example通常會放在主詞後面，動詞前面即可。
18. Studies suggest that eating foods containing vitamin E, such as green vegetables, is one way of curtailing age-related memory loss.（見第52行）
(1) studies suggest that ... 研究顯示……
例：Studies suggest that regular exercise is good for one’s health.
(2) 分詞片語containing vitamin E在此修飾前方的foods，表示是「含有維他命E的」食物。
(3) 動名詞eating foods... 為一件事，故動詞用is。
| 保持記憶力。對短期記憶的研究顯示，睡得好也能幫助把事情記得更清楚。 雖然記憶是如何被編碼及提取的確實過程仍是個謎，無庸置疑的是，吃對東西、睡得夠飽絕對可以幫我們善加利用大腦卓越的能力去儲存及記得資訊。 |
19. Research on short-term memory indicates that getting a good night’s sleep can also help one to recollect things more clearly.（見第57行）
(1) research/studies/data/results/statistics/... indicate(s) that ... 研究／資料／結果／統計數字／……指出……
例：The poor test results indicate that students are not learning the subject well.
Statistics indicate that our standard of living has risen greatly in the last
few decades.
(2) on常用來說明是「關於某個特定的主題」，或是「影響到了什麼」，常搭配其使用的名詞有book、lecture、speech、report、thesis、conference、debate、information、comment等。
例：My sister bought a big book on English literature and read it in the summer
vacation.
Kelly has to write a report on World War II for her history class.
(3) help sb. (to) do sth. 「幫某人做某事」，其中to是可以省略的。
例： Albert’s sister always helps him do his homework.
20. Although the exact process by which memories are coded and retrieved remains a mystery, there is no doubt that eating the right foods and getting sufficient amounts of sleep can help us make the best use of our brain’s remarkable ability to store and recall information.（見第60行）
The exact way in which the memory works is still a mystery; however....
(1) exact adj. 確切的，精確的；精密的，嚴密的
例：The police now know the exact location of the hostages and are trying to rescue
them.
Predicting earthquakes can never be an exact science.
(2) by which memories are coded and retrieved為形容詞子句，修飾the exact process，表示「記憶是如何被編碼及提取」的確實過程。欲知更多有關「介詞 + 關係代名詞」在關係子句中的用法，請參見本課Grammar Focus I。
(3) there is no doubt that + S + V 無疑地
have doubts that + S + V 對某事存疑
have doubts about 對某事存疑
no doubt = without doubt = doubtless = doubtlessly 無疑地
例：I do not have any doubt that Emily can finish the crossword puzzle on her own.
I have doubts about his qualifications for this position.
Kevin will no doubt be the most competent secretary you have ever had.
(4) make the best use of 善加利用
make use of 利用
例： They made use of the extra space in the backyard to build a basketball court for the children.
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