The science of laughter - Sasha Winkler – YouTube Dictation Transcript & Vocabulary
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Interactive Transcript & Highlights for Dictation
1.Isn’t it odd that, when something’s funny, you might show your teeth, change your breathing, become weak and achy in some places, and maybe even cry
2.In other words, why do we do this thing that is laughter
3.When you laugh, your abdominal muscles contract rapidly
4.This alters your breathing patterns, the pressure in your chest cavity, and pushing air out, which might audibly emerge as a snort, wheeze, or vocalization
5.Because you’re exerting your abdominal muscles much more than you usually would while talking, they may start to hurt
💡 Tap the highlighted words to see definitions and examples
Key Vocabulary (CEFR C1)
phenomenon
A2A thing or being, event or process, perceptible through senses; or a fact or occurrence thereof.
Example:
"So, where does this funny phenomenon come from?"
importantly
B1(sentence adverb) Used to mark a statement as having importance.
Example:
"Importantly, humans are not the only animals today"
contagious
B2(of a disease) Easily transmitted to others.
Example:
"This is thought to be one of the reasons that laughter is contagious:"
increasing
A2(of a quantity, etc.) To become larger or greater.
Example:
"increasing the pressure in your chest cavity, and pushing air out,"
triggering
A2To fire a weapon.
Example:
"triggering you to smile or laugh yourself."
acquaintances
B1A state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of friendship; acquaintanceship.
Example:
"could reliably tell the difference between close friends and acquaintances"
neurotransmitters
B1Any substance, such as acetylcholine or dopamine, responsible for sending nerve signals across a synapse between two neurons.
Example:
"When we laugh, our brains release feel-good neurotransmitters"
strengthens
B1To make strong or stronger; to add strength to; to increase the strength of; to fortify.
Example:
"strengthens bonds, and potentially improves aspects of your health,"
certainly
A2In a way which is certain; with certainty.
Example:
"Certainly nothing to crack up about."
bizarre
A2Strangely unconventional in style or appearance.
Example:
"In other words, why do we do this bizarre thing that is laughter?"
| Word | CEFR | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| phenomenon | A2 | A thing or being, event or process, perceptible through senses; or a fact or occurrence thereof. |
| importantly | B1 | (sentence adverb) Used to mark a statement as having importance. |
| contagious | B2 | (of a disease) Easily transmitted to others. |
| increasing | A2 | (of a quantity, etc.) To become larger or greater. |
| triggering | A2 | To fire a weapon. |
| acquaintances | B1 | A state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of friendship; acquaintanceship. |
| neurotransmitters | B1 | Any substance, such as acetylcholine or dopamine, responsible for sending nerve signals across a synapse between two neurons. |
| strengthens | B1 | To make strong or stronger; to add strength to; to increase the strength of; to fortify. |
| certainly | A2 | In a way which is certain; with certainty. |
| bizarre | A2 | Strangely unconventional in style or appearance. |
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