争论的奇迹
Miracle of Debate
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The story of how a debate about horse hooves led to the invention of motion pictures.
37 new words
争论zhēnglùnto argue, to dispute
十九世纪，人们围绕马疾驰时四只蹄子的位置争论。
In the nineteenth century, people argued about the position of all four hooves when a horse runs.
奇迹qíjìmiracle, wonder
这个问题后来在摄影史上成了里程碑，也称得上奇迹。
This apparently small problem later became a milestone in the history of photography and could be called a small miracle.
围绕wéiràoto center around
十九世纪，人们围绕马疾驰时四只蹄子的位置争论。
In the nineteenth century, people argued about the position of all four hooves when a horse runs.
奔跑bēnpǎoto run, to gallop
一匹马的短暂奔跑，经过技术发展，成为银幕上成千上万场景的开端。
A horse's brief run, developed through technology, became the beginning of countless scenes on screen.
蹄tí (zi)hoof
十九世纪，人们围绕马疾驰时四只蹄子的位置争论。
In the nineteenth century, people argued about the position of all four hooves when a horse runs.
辩论biànlùnto debate
有人始终坚持说马在任何瞬间都不会完全离开地面，另一些人主张用新的试验验证，而非空口辩论。
Some insisted that a horse never leaves the ground completely in a single instant; others were willing to test the question in a new way rather than merely argue about it.
青蛙qīngwāfrog
摄影师还拍过青蛙跳跃的动作，并把结果给怀疑者看。
The photographer also recorded a frog jumping and showed the results to doubters.
啦lapart. combination of the sounds of '了' (le) and '啊' (a), expressing exclamation, interrogation, etc.
有人看过照片就说："这下清楚啦！"
Some who saw the pictures said, 'Now it is clear!
始终shǐzhōngadv. from beginning to the end, all along
有人始终坚持说马在任何瞬间都不会完全离开地面，另一些人主张用新的试验验证，而非空口辩论。
Some insisted that a horse never leaves the ground completely in a single instant; others were willing to test the question in a new way rather than merely argue about it.
脖子bózineck
马从镜头前跑过，脖子向前伸着，前腿依次碰断细线，照相机便一台接一台拍下画面。
As the horse ran past, its neck was stretched forward while its forelegs broke the threads one after another, and the cameras fired in sequence.
说服shuōfúto persuade, to convince
证据说服了许多人。
The evidence convinced many.
摄影师shèyǐngshīphotographer
摄影师请求在学校操场旁的跑道边插一排杆，把细线系在每台相机的开关上，再用木板拦住围观者。
The photographer did not hold the experiment on a school sports ground, but put a row of poles beside a track and tied thin cords to the shutters of cameras.
毕竟bìjìngadv. after all, in the final analysis
毕竟，人眼难以瞬间看清高速运动的细节，更难分辨姿势的差距。
After all, the human eye cannot easily see the details of rapid movement in a moment, much less distinguish the difference between each position.
操场cāochǎngsports ground, playground
摄影师请求在学校操场旁的跑道边插一排杆，把细线系在每台相机的开关上，再用木板拦住围观者。
The photographer did not hold the experiment on a school sports ground, but put a row of poles beside a track and tied thin cords to the shutters of cameras.
洞dònghole
最初的装置有许多毛病，播放也不顺畅，纸板上还要挖洞，可工程师不断改进，设备终于日渐成熟。
Early devices had many faults and their playback was not smooth, but engineers kept improving them until the equipment gradually matured.
插chāto insert, to stick in
摄影师请求在学校操场旁的跑道边插一排杆，把细线系在每台相机的开关上，再用木板拦住围观者。
The photographer did not hold the experiment on a school sports ground, but put a row of poles beside a track and tied thin cords to the shutters of cameras.
杆gānstick, cudgel
摄影师请求在学校操场旁的跑道边插一排杆，把细线系在每台相机的开关上，再用木板拦住围观者。
The photographer did not hold the experiment on a school sports ground, but put a row of poles beside a track and tied thin cords to the shutters of cameras.
系jìto tie, to fasten
摄影师请求在学校操场旁的跑道边插一排杆，把细线系在每台相机的开关上，再用木板拦住围观者。
The photographer did not hold the experiment on a school sports ground, but put a row of poles beside a track and tied thin cords to the shutters of cameras.
匹pǐm. used for horses
影像显示，那匹马腾空时四只蹄子确实都离开了地面。
The photographs showed that all four hooves really did leave the ground.
拦lánto block, to hold back
摄影师请求在学校操场旁的跑道边插一排杆，把细线系在每台相机的开关上，再用木板拦住围观者。
The photographer did not hold the experiment on a school sports ground, but put a row of poles beside a track and tied thin cords to the shutters of cameras.
拍pāito take (a photo), to shoot (a video)
马从镜头前跑过，脖子向前伸着，前腿依次碰断细线，照相机便一台接一台拍下画面。
As the horse ran past, its neck was stretched forward while its forelegs broke the threads one after another, and the cameras fired in sequence.
差距chājùgap, difference
毕竟，人眼难以瞬间看清高速运动的细节，更难分辨姿势的差距。
After all, the human eye cannot easily see the details of rapid movement in a moment, much less distinguish the difference between each position.
显示xiǎnshìto show, to display
影像显示，那匹马腾空时四只蹄子确实都离开了地面。
The photographs showed that all four hooves really did leave the ground.
意识yìshín./v. consciousness; to be aware of, to realize
导演很快意识到，这种方法不只适合做科学记录，还能留作科学史上的纪念，更可能讲述故事。
Directors soon realised that the method could do more than make a scientific record and leave a memorial in the history of science; it could also tell stories.
艰苦jiānkǔadj. arduous, difficult, tough
有人会觉得过程艰苦难熬，但只要肯观察、拍下事实并比较结果，原本看不见的细节也能被发现；争论不必只靠声音，证据会让判断更可靠。
If we observe, record facts, and compare results, even invisible details can be found; an argument need not rest only on voices, because evidence makes judgment more reliable.
试验shìyànn./v. trial, test; to make a trial
有人始终坚持说马在任何瞬间都不会完全离开地面，另一些人主张用新的试验验证，而非空口辩论。
Some insisted that a horse never leaves the ground completely in a single instant; others were willing to test the question in a new way rather than merely argue about it.
逐渐zhújiànadv. gradually
那些原先只靠感觉的说法，也逐渐有了可以检验的标准。
' Claims that had rested only on feeling gradually acquired a standard that could be tested.
改进gǎijìnto improve, to ameliorate
最初的装置有许多毛病，播放也不顺畅，纸板上还要挖洞，可工程师不断改进，设备终于日渐成熟。
Early devices had many faults and their playback was not smooth, but engineers kept improving them until the equipment gradually matured.
成熟chéngshúv./adj. to ripen; mature
最初的装置有许多毛病，播放也不顺畅，纸板上还要挖洞，可工程师不断改进，设备终于日渐成熟。
Early devices had many faults and their playback was not smooth, but engineers kept improving them until the equipment gradually matured.
兄弟xiōngdìbrother
后来，法国有一对做摄影器材的兄弟，他们把连续的照片放进一种机器，转动把手便能看到人物在动。
Later, a pair of brothers in France who made photographic equipment put a sequence of photographs into a machine, and turning a handle made a figure appear to move.
播放bōfàngto broadcast, to play (music or videos)
最初的装置有许多毛病，播放也不顺畅，纸板上还要挖洞，可工程师不断改进，设备终于日渐成熟。
Early devices had many faults and their playback was not smooth, but engineers kept improving them until the equipment gradually matured.
纪念jìniànto commemorate
导演很快意识到，这种方法不只适合做科学记录，还能留作科学史上的纪念，更可能讲述故事。
Directors soon realised that the method could do more than make a scientific record and leave a memorial in the history of science; it could also tell stories.
导演dǎoyǎnn./v. director (of a show or movie); to direct
导演很快意识到，这种方法不只适合做科学记录，还能留作科学史上的纪念，更可能讲述故事。
Directors soon realised that the method could do more than make a scientific record and leave a memorial in the history of science; it could also tell stories.
瞬间shùnjiāna short period of time
有人始终坚持说马在任何瞬间都不会完全离开地面，另一些人主张用新的试验验证，而非空口辩论。
Some insisted that a horse never leaves the ground completely in a single instant; others were willing to test the question in a new way rather than merely argue about it.
请求qǐngqiúv./n. to request, to ask; request
摄影师请求在学校操场旁的跑道边插一排杆，把细线系在每台相机的开关上，再用木板拦住围观者。
The photographer did not hold the experiment on a school sports ground, but put a row of poles beside a track and tied thin cords to the shutters of cameras.
或许huòxǔadv. maybe, perhaps
或许没人能预料它会产生这样重大的影响。
Perhaps no one expected such a major effect.
重大zhòngdàadj. great, significant
或许没人能预料它会产生这样重大的影响。
Perhaps no one expected such a major effect.
Listen to the text
十九世纪，人们围绕马疾驰时四只蹄子的位置争论。有人始终坚持说马在任何瞬间都不会完全离开地面，另一些人主张用新的试验验证，而非空口辩论。这个问题后来在摄影史上成了里程碑，也称得上奇迹。
shí jiǔ shì jì， rén men wéirào mǎ jí chí shí sì zhǐ tí zi de wèi zhì zhēnglùn。 yǒu rén shǐzhōng jiān chí shuō mǎ zài rèn hé shùnjiān dōu bù huì wán quán lí kāi dì miàn， lìng yī xiē rén zhǔ zhāng yòng xīn de shìyàn yàn zhèng， ér fēi kōng kǒu biànlùn。 zhè gè wèn tí hòu lái zài shè yǐng shǐ shàng chéng le lǐ chéng bēi， yě chēng dé shàng qíjì。
In the nineteenth century, people argued about the position of all four hooves when a horse runs. Some insisted that a horse never leaves the ground completely in a single instant; others were willing to test the question in a new way rather than merely argue about it. This apparently small problem later became a milestone in the history of photography and could be called a small miracle.
摄影师请求在学校操场旁的跑道边插一排杆，把细线系在每台相机的开关上，再用木板拦住围观者。马从镜头前跑过，脖子向前伸着，前腿依次碰断细线，照相机便一台接一台拍下画面。毕竟，人眼难以瞬间看清高速运动的细节，更难分辨姿势的差距。
shèyǐngshī qǐngqiú zài xué xiào cāochǎng páng de pǎo dào biān chā yī pái gān， bǎ xì xiàn jì zài měi tái xiāng jī de kāi guān shàng， zài yòng mù bǎn lán zhù wéi guān zhě。 mǎ cóng jìng tóu qián pǎo guò， bózi xiàng qián shēn zhe， qián tuǐ yī cì pèng duàn xì xiàn， zhào xiāng jī biàn yī tái jiē yī tái pāi xià huà miàn。 bìjìng， rén yǎn nán yǐ shùnjiān kàn qīng gāo sù yùn dòng de xì jié， gèng nán fēn biàn zī shì de chājù。
The photographer did not hold the experiment on a school sports ground, but put a row of poles beside a track and tied thin cords to the shutters of cameras. As the horse ran past, its neck was stretched forward while its forelegs broke the threads one after another, and the cameras fired in sequence. After all, the human eye cannot easily see the details of rapid movement in a moment, much less distinguish the difference between each position.
影像显示，那匹马腾空时四只蹄子确实都离开了地面。摄影师还拍过青蛙跳跃的动作，并把结果给怀疑者看。证据说服了许多人。有人看过照片就说："这下清楚啦！"那些原先只靠感觉的说法，也逐渐有了可以检验的标准。
yǐng xiàng xiǎnshì， nà pǐ mǎ téng kōng shí sì zhǐ tí zi què shí dōu lí kāi le dì miàn。 shèyǐngshī hái pāi guò qīngwā tiào yuè de dòng zuò， bìng bǎ jié guǒ gěi huái yí zhě kàn。 zhèng jù shuōfú le xǔ duō rén。 yǒu rén kàn guò zhào piàn jiù shuō：" zhè xià qīng chǔ la！" nà xiē yuán xiān zhǐ kào gǎn jué de shuō fǎ， yě zhújiàn yǒu le kě yǐ jiǎn yàn de biāo zhǔn。
The photographs showed that all four hooves really did leave the ground. The photographer also recorded a frog jumping and showed the results to doubters. The evidence convinced many. Some who saw the pictures said, 'Now it is clear!' Claims that had rested only on feeling gradually acquired a standard that could be tested.
后来，法国有一对做摄影器材的兄弟，他们把连续的照片放进一种机器，转动把手便能看到人物在动。最初的装置有许多毛病，播放也不顺畅，纸板上还要挖洞，可工程师不断改进，设备终于日渐成熟。
hòu lái， fǎ guó yǒu yī duì zuò shè yǐng qì cái de xiōngdì， tā men bǎ lián xù de zhào piàn fàng jìn yī zhǒng jī qì， zhuǎn dòng bǎ shǒu biàn néng kàn dào rén wù zài dòng。 zuì chū de zhuāng zhì yǒu xǔ duō máo bìng， bōfàng yě bù shùn chàng， zhǐ bǎn shàng hái yào wā dòng， kě gōng chéng shī bù duàn gǎijìn， shè bèi zhōng yú rì jiàn chéngshú。
Later, a pair of brothers in France who made photographic equipment put a sequence of photographs into a machine, and turning a handle made a figure appear to move. Early devices had many faults and their playback was not smooth, but engineers kept improving them until the equipment gradually matured.
导演很快意识到，这种方法不只适合做科学记录，还能留作科学史上的纪念，更可能讲述故事。一匹马的短暂奔跑，经过技术发展，成为银幕上成千上万场景的开端。或许没人能预料它会产生这样重大的影响。
dǎoyǎn hěn kuài yìshí dào， zhè zhǒng fāng fǎ bù zhǐ shì hé zuò kē xué jì lù， hái néng liú zuò kē xué shǐ shàng de jìniàn， gèng kě néng jiǎng shù gù shì。 yī pǐ mǎ de duǎn zàn bēnpǎo， jīng guò jì shù fā zhǎn， chéng wèi yín mù shàng chéng qiān shàng wàn chǎng jǐng de kāi duān。 huòxǔ méi rén néng yù liào tā huì chǎn shēng zhè yàng zhòngdà de yǐng xiǎng。
Directors soon realised that the method could do more than make a scientific record and leave a memorial in the history of science; it could also tell stories. A horse's brief run, developed through technology, became the beginning of countless scenes on screen. Perhaps no one expected such a major effect.
这段历史提醒我们，费力的试验常从一个普通疑问开始。有人会觉得过程艰苦难熬，但只要肯观察、拍下事实并比较结果，原本看不见的细节也能被发现；争论不必只靠声音，证据会让判断更可靠。
zhè duàn lì shǐ tí xǐng wǒ men， fèi lì de shìyàn cháng cóng yī gè pǔ tōng yí wèn kāi shǐ。 yǒu rén huì jué dé guò chéng jiānkǔ nán áo， dàn zhǐ yào kěn guān chá、 pāi xià shì shí bìng bǐ jiào jié guǒ， yuán běn kàn bù jiàn de xì jié yě néng bèi fā xiàn； zhēnglùn bù bì zhǐ kào shēng yīn， zhèng jù huì ràng pàn duàn gèng kě kào。
This history reminds us that demanding experiments often begin with an ordinary question. If we observe, record facts, and compare results, even invisible details can be found; an argument need not rest only on voices, because evidence makes judgment more reliable.
Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.
Grammar
毕竟，人眼难以瞬间看清高速运动的细节，更难分辨姿势的差距。After all, the human eye cannot easily see the details of rapid movement in a moment, much less distinguish the difference between each position.
毕竟+ Statement
毕竟. '毕竟' is an adverb meaning 'after all' or 'in the final analysis'. It emphasizes a fundamental truth despite other circumstances.
虽然我们遇到了很多困难，但毕竟完成了任务。
Suīrán wǒmen yùdàole hěnduō kùnnán, dàn bìjìng wánchéngle rènwu.
Although we encountered many difficulties, we did complete the task after all.
那些原先只靠感觉的说法，也逐渐有了可以检验的标准。' Claims that had rested only on feeling gradually acquired a standard that could be tested.
逐渐+ Verb
逐渐. '逐渐' is an adverb meaning 'gradually' or 'progressively'. It indicates a slow, step-by-step change over time.
食物越来越少，老人不得不逐渐限制猴子的食量。
Shíwù yuèláiyuè shǎo, lǎorén bùdébù zhújiàn xiànzhì hóuzi de shíliàng.
As food became scarcer, the old man had to gradually limit the monkeys' food portions.
或许没人能预料它会产生这样重大的影响。Perhaps no one expected such a major effect.
或许+ Statement
或许. '或许' is an adverb meaning 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. It indicates possibility or uncertainty.
虽然以前他不支持你，但或许这次会有变化。
Suīrán yǐqián tā bù zhīchí nǐ, dàn huòxǔ zhè cì huì yǒu biànhuà.
Although he didn't support you before, perhaps things will change this time.
Which word means “frog”?
Culture
日常生活中的重大发现 - Great Discoveries in Daily Life
Major discoveries in life often begin with questions. When people see a familiar event but are willing to pause, ask, compare, and test, ordinary experience can become knowledge. Scientific methods value evidence because impressions and rumors can easily be wrong. The development of photography also shows that tools can help people see details that the eye cannot distinguish in time. In the passage, a series of cameras captured a running horse while all its hooves were in the air, and this later opened a path toward film.
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迹 from 奇迹 · miracle, wonder
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