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Language/culture/mind/brain. Progress at the margins between disciplines.
1Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, and Center for Mind, Brain, and Learning, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. pkkuhl@u.washington.edu
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|June 20, 2001
Summary
Infants learn language by perceptually mapping ambient speech properties before speaking. This early linguistic experience shapes their perception, enhancing native language processing in ways previously unpredicted.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Linguistics
- Neuroscience
- Anthropology
- Computer Science
Background:
- Infants acquire language through complex perceptual and cognitive strategies.
- Early language acquisition is influenced by ambient linguistic input and adult interaction.
- Cross-disciplinary research offers new insights into language development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate infants' early language acquisition strategies.
- To explore the role of linguistic experience in shaping speech perception.
- To integrate findings from multiple disciplines for a comprehensive understanding of language acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of infant perceptual mapping of ambient language.
- Observation of cross-cultural adult speech behaviors directed at children.
- Application of modern brain imaging techniques in neuroscience.
- Computational modeling of child language acquisition using neural networks.
Main Results:
- Infants perceptually "map" statistical and abstract properties of ambient language within the first year.
- Linguistic experience alters infant speech perception, optimizing for native language processing.
- Universality of adult speech patterns in child-directed communication observed across cultures.
- Neuroimaging reveals temporal and structural aspects of brain-based language processing.
- Computational models show success in simulating language acquisition.
Conclusions:
- Infant language acquisition involves sophisticated, unpredicted perceptual strategies.
- Adult interaction and ambient language exposure are crucial for language development.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is vital for advancing the understanding of human language acquisition.