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Language

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Language is a unique communication system that uses words and systematic rules to organize and transmit information. Unlike other forms of communication, which may involve postures, movements, odors, or vocalizations, language relies on symbols and grammar. This makes human communication distinct from that of other species, who also communicate but do not use language in the same way humans do.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm

Published on: May 15, 2019

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm.

Adam Stone¹, Rain G Bosworth²

¹Convo Communications.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove

|June 4, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Infants as young as 6 months can detect linguistic cues in sign language, even without prior exposure. This study used eye tracking and the preferential looking paradigm to reveal innate infant sensitivities to language.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm

Published on: May 15, 2019

Defining the Role Of Language in Infants' Object Categorization with Eye-tracking Paradigms

Defining the Role Of Language in Infants' Object Categorization with Eye-tracking Paradigms

Published on: February 8, 2019

Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language

Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language

Published on: October 13, 2018

Area of Science:

Developmental Psychology
Cognitive Neuroscience
Linguistics

Background:

Eye tracking offers a non-invasive method for studying infant perception and attention.
The preferential looking paradigm assesses infant sensitivity by measuring visual attention to differing stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the utility of eye tracking with the preferential looking paradigm in infant research.
To investigate whether infants exhibit sensitivity to linguistic cues in sign language.

Main Methods:

Utilized eye tracking technology to record infant gaze data.
Employed the preferential looking paradigm, presenting infants with two simultaneous visual stimuli differing in one aspect.
Designed brief, controlled experiments to ensure reliable data collection.

Main Results:

Demonstrated that 6-month-old infants show differential looking behavior towards stimuli with linguistic cues in sign language.
Confirmed infant sensitivity to linguistic properties in a signed language, irrespective of prior exposure.

Conclusions:

Infants possess innate or intrinsic sensitivities to linguistic cues, even in unfamiliar signed languages.
The preferential looking paradigm combined with eye tracking is an effective method for studying early language development and perception.