《中英對照讀新聞》Science proves that alcohol increases your ability to speak a second language 科學證實，酒精增進你的第二外語口說能力

◎陳正健

A new study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology has found that a bit of Dutch courage might be the key to boosting your ability to speak a second language.

一項發表於《精神藥理學期刊》的最新研究發現，一點酒後之勇可能是促進你第二外語口說能力的關鍵。

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Researchers tested 50 native German speakers who had just learned Dutch. Some were given a low dose of alcohol, and others a control beverage with no alcohol, and then were asked to have a conversation in Dutch.

研究人員測試50名以德語為母語的人士，他們剛學習荷蘭語。部分人士被給予低分量的酒精，其他人士則被給予沒有酒精的控制組飲料，之後他們被要求以荷蘭語對話。

The study showed that those who were slightly intoxicated had better pronunciation than their sober counterparts. Alcohol may impair your memory, making it harder to pay attention and recall facts, but on the other hand, it also boosts your self-confidence.

研究顯示，相較於對應他們的清醒受試者，那些微酣受試者的發音更佳。酒精可能損害你的記憶，使你更難專注及回想事情，但另一方面，酒精也會增進你的自信。

However, participants in this study consumed a low dose of alcohol, and that higher levels of alcohol consumption might not have beneficial effects on the pronunciation of a foreign language. The participants knew what they were drinking, so it’s not clear if their speech improved because of alcohol’s psychological or biological effects.

不過，研究中的受試者只飲用少量酒精，而更多的酒精攝取，可能對外語發音無益。受試者知道自己飲用何物，因此並不清楚他們的口說改善是因為酒精的心理還是生理作用。

新聞辭典

Dutch courage：名詞，酒膽，酒後之勇。例句：He needed some Dutch courage before facing his boss.（在面對老闆前，他需要一點酒後之勇。）

intoxicated：形容詞，喝醉的。例句：She was charged with driving while intoxicated.（她被控酒醉駕車。）

impair：動詞，損害，削弱。例句：His hearing was impaired after the explosion. （他的聽力在爆炸後受損。）

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