A massive study of nearly 700,000 English speakers reveals that the optimal years to learn a second language is open until the age of 17.4, challenging standard theoretical accounts of language learning. This finding has significant implications for neuroscience, linguistics, developmental psychology, and public policy.
The Boras extend their language reach by a factor of 100 using drummed speech with rhythmic units encoded in pauses between beats. Drummed speech allows them to convey meaning and distinguish words through tone and rhythm.
Researchers found that adult listeners can learn to recognize previously unfamiliar speakers from seeing only the motion they produce while talking, even with limited exposure. This discovery has important implications for personal and facial recognition technologies.
Researchers used word embeddings to measure changes in gender and ethnic stereotypes from 1900-2023, correlating with US Census demographic data. The study found quantifiable shifts in biases towards women and Asian Americans, highlighting the value of interdisciplinary collaboration between humanities and sciences.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield are leading a £80,510 project to create an accessible interface for extracting information from millions of words in Hansard. The new website aims to make historical debates more easily searchable and understandable for those without specialized knowledge.
The EcoGest project aims to understand how children's gestures are connected to communication, with a focus on iconic gestures that pertain to the forms, functions, and movements of objects. Researchers will record children aged 4-5 years old in various communicative situations to analyze their gesturing patterns.
Evan Y. Snyder, a leading researcher on stem cells and neural development, has been elected to the Association of American Physicians for his groundbreaking contributions to human health. He will be inducted at the AAP annual meeting on April 21, 2018.
Researchers compared neural activity of signers and speakers using magnetoencephalography, finding similar brain regions involved in phrase building. The study suggests that despite physical differences, signed and spoken languages share intricate neurobiological processes.
A new study using ancient and modern genome-wide data found that Papuan ancestry replaced early Austronesian-Lapita population in Vanuatu, yet the original Austronesian languages persisted. This provides a unique case of demographic history where genetic ancestry but not language was replaced.
Researchers propose that cave art may have played a role in the development of human language, citing acoustic properties and visual representations. The study suggests that early humans used sound echoes to convey symbolic thinking, which eventually led to the creation of language.
Researchers analyzed over 540,000 tweets to find nearly 80% of them were duplicates or re-tweets originating from bot accounts. The study found that right-wing internet activists used social bots to spread nationalistic content and boosted Abe's election campaign.
Researchers from Lund University have identified a previously unknown language in northern Peninsular Malaysia, dubbed Jedek. Spoken by 280 people, the language is an Austroasiatic variety with unique grammatical structures and vocabulary.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that linking success in certain fields to intellectual talent undermines women's interest in them. Women showed less interest in career areas linked to 'brilliance' relative to other traits, such as dedication.
Researchers found that language learners prefer word orders with shorter dependencies, which are easier to process, suggesting a causal link between human cognition and language structure. This discovery provides new insights into the role of human information processing in shaping linguistic universals.
A team of linguists and evolutionary biologists found certain linguistic changes occurred due to selective forces, while others were guided by chance. The study analyzed substantial collections of annotated texts and identified patterns where random chance affected rare words more than common ones.
A study by BYU linguistics professor Alan Manning and the University of South Alabama's Nicole Amare found that most people value clarity and directness over extended buffers when delivering bad news. Participants ranked directness as a top characteristic they valued most in receiving bad news.
Researchers found that bilingual brains rely more on native language processes when learning a new language, but learn it faster. This study supports the hypothesis that early bilingualism is beneficial for language learners in later life.
A large-scale study of ancient human DNA from sub-Saharan Africa has shed light on the identity of prehistoric populations, their movements and genetic adaptations. The research found evidence of a population replacement in Malawi and identified a mysterious group that spanned from southern Africa to the equator.
Research found that bilingual speakers' brain areas for executive control are less involved when conversing with another bilingual individual, unlike in artificial scenarios. In natural conversations, language switches require minimal executive control, engaging only auditory cortices.
A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin has developed novel approaches to information retrieval that leverage artificial intelligence, crowdsourcing, and supercomputing. Their method combines input from multiple annotators to determine the best overall annotation for a given text, improving accuracy in extracting d...
Researchers at University of Kansas have discovered that fetuses can discriminate between languages with distinct rhythmic properties, suggesting language development may start in the womb. The study uses magnetocardiogram technology to measure fetal heart rate responses to speech sounds, revealing an early sensitivity to language rhythm.
The project aims to improve the usage of digital technologies for research by developing new methods for analyzing historical newspapers. The team will use deep learning to correct errors in text recognition and enhance entity recognition using external data repositories.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have mapped over 1,100 years of metaphoric English language to identify patterns in how humans create and understand metaphorical meaning. This study paves the way for future advances in artificial intelligence and natural language processing systems like Siri.
A large-scale study found that the evolution of word meanings in English metaphors follows a systematic and predictable pattern over the past 1100 years. The researchers identified key domains where word senses transitioned from literal to metaphorical meaning, including emotionality and embodiment.
A study analyzing police body camera footage found that officers consistently use less respectful language with black community members than with white community members. The racial disparities in language use remained even after controlling for other factors, highlighting the need for solutions to improve police-community relations.
Researchers found that increased familiarity with a foreign accent leads to better sentence processing and trains the acoustic system to process accented speech. Listeners who correctly identified the accent responded similarly to grammar and vocabulary errors in both native and foreign-accented sentences.
The study reveals that Yamnaya warriors married local Stone Age women, adopting an agrarian lifestyle and forming the Corded Ware Culture. This integration led to a rapid genetic changeover from Neolithic to Corded Ware cultures in Europe.
Researchers found that using honorifics incorrectly, but with a playful tone, can help foreigners connect with locals on a personal level. This approach challenges the idea that speaking correctly is always necessary for fitting in.
Researchers tested automated approaches to analyze large linguistic datasets, finding that some methods detected cognates correctly with high accuracy. The study suggests a promising future for combining algorithms and expert knowledge to uncover human prehistory and cultural evolution.
Researchers explore how emojis and emoticons aid in cross-cultural communication and provide insights into user personalities. Studies suggest that emoji use can be related to personality traits, such as agreeableness, and may impact social inclusion.
Research reveals that individuals with dyslexia have a fundamental brain difference in sensory perception, leading to difficulties in processing speech and written words. Brain activity remains high in both cases, suggesting that they do not adapt as much, while those with better reading skills show greater adaptation levels.
A new study reveals that dialect unfamiliarity and prejudice against AAVE and other non-standard dialects can lead to mishearing and misjudgment in courtrooms. The authors argue that vernacular varieties should matter more, and linguists can play a bigger role in explaining them.
A team of Mexican scientists used tennis, chess, golf, poker, and football performances to identify universal features in hierarchical structure creation. They found that ranking hierarchies may be driven by the same underlying generic mechanisms as rank formation, regardless of sport characteristics.
Researchers at FAU's Computer Chemistry Center are developing an AI application to predict odor molecules, neutralizing undesirable smells in packaging and products. The project aims to improve product development efficiency, reducing trial-and-error experiments.
UCLA researchers Patricia Keating and Jody Kreiman analyzed recordings from 50 women to identify acoustic parameters distinguishing their voices. The study aims to understand which characteristics make a speaker's voice recognizable and how much change is perceptible to listeners.
A study by Canadian researcher Emily Blamire found that female listeners rank male voices as more attractive when the 's' sound is shorter, while male listeners do not. The study suggests that men and women use different criteria when judging vocal attractiveness.
A new study finds that employees who balance cultural fit and network cliqueness are more likely to succeed. The researchers identified four organizational archetypes: doubly embedded actors, disembedded actors, assimilated brokers, and integrated nonconformists.
Researchers developed a new AI system that uses web search to extract data from plain text, outperforming traditional machine learning methods by up to 10%. The system learns to generate search queries and gauge relevance, then extracts relevant data from online texts.
Researchers at MIT's CSAIL have developed a new way to train neural networks that provide not only predictions and classifications but also rationales for their decisions. The system consists of two modules: one extracts segments of text from training data and scores them, while the other performs prediction or classification tasks.
Researchers found strong associations between certain sounds and common objects/ideas across languages, including body parts and natural phenomena. The study's findings suggest that humans tend to use similar sounds to describe basic concepts, regardless of language.
Researchers will analyze 64 interviews with speakers from eight Southern states using computer software to identify variations in spoken language. The goal is to provide a database of Southern speech patterns that can be used for industrial applications.
Michigan State University will lead a three-year research project to enhance the teaching of less commonly taught languages, leveraging a $1.2 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The initiative aims to develop templates for online LCTL instruction and share them among Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions.
A new analysis of over a century of literature reveals the life and journey of the word however, with common misuse as a synonym for but. Dr Andrew Hamilton's study shows that using however incorrectly has risen since World War II, often misusing it as a conjunction.
Researchers investigate directional pointing and demonstrative usage in Murrinhpatha, a language without abstract directionals. The study finds that speakers use named landmarks, pointing, and demonstratives to convey spatial directions.
Researchers led by Josef van Genabith are working on two EU-funded projects to improve automatic machine translation, particularly for complex languages like Latvian and Czech. They aim to use 'deep learning' to recognize patterns in large text datasets and learn from them.
Researchers have developed a systematic approach to studying monkey morphology, syntax, and semantics using methods from theoretical titi monkeys linguistics. This allows them to compare one monkey species to another and analyze the meanings of their calls in detail, revealing complex formal properties and syntax.
Researchers discover 'reactive effort' in sign languages, where movements produce torque on the torso, and find that vocabulary avoids signs requiring extra reactive effort. This biological universal sheds light on language and physical activity.
A study by MIT linguistics professors and Carleton University researchers found that children between 3-6 years old use a similar logical approach to adults when evaluating ambiguous sentences, but fail to consider the implications of substituting 'and' for 'or',
Researchers at Michigan State University found that foreign language teachers often prioritize accuracy over speaking skills, leading to feelings of inadequacy. To address this issue, the study emphasizes the need for professional development programs that cater to different teacher needs and promote collaboration.
A study published in PLOS One found that people's feelings of long-term happiness and satisfaction with their lives remained steady over time, unaffected by external events. The researchers grouped Twitter users into satisfied and dissatisfied groups, finding differences in language use, activity patterns, and psychological processes.
Undergraduate students from around the country will participate in a 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at RIT, working on projects involving human behavior, cognitive processes, and sensing technology. The program aims to foster a new generation of scientists who approach research questions differently.
A University of Michigan study found that personality traits, such as being introverted or extroverted, affect how people interpret language in emails. Introverts are more likely to judge others harshly for grammatical errors, while extroverts tend to be more lenient.
The EU's U_CODE Project aims to develop methods and processes for citizen involvement in large-scale construction projects, preventing conflicts and escalations. The project will create a virtual space for citizens and professional planners to exchange ideas and develop plans based on broad social consensus.
The Cambridge project aims to understand people's experiences of speaking more than one language, change attitudes towards multilingualism, and transform society. It will investigate the relationship between language, culture, and identity, with international impact.
Researchers found that Nheengatú speakers communicate time of day by pointing at the sun's position in the sky, similar to saying 'nine o'clock' in English. This practice shows that users of auditory languages can develop visual language like sign languages.
Researchers developed a web-based platform using artificial neural networks to answer crossword clues more accurately than existing products. The system can understand words, phrases, and sentences by leveraging definitions in dictionaries and Wikipedia.
The new issue of the Annals of Global Health presents a core set of recommendations for optimizing diabetes care globally. The main findings emphasize the need for each nation to assess region-specific epidemiology, establish public health imperatives, and commit to education and research to advance culturally-sensitive guidelines.
Researchers at University of Sheffield developed an automated programming method for swarm robots, reducing human error and increasing reliability in complex tasks. The method uses supervisory control theory to ensure predictable behavior, making it suitable for safety-critical applications such as driverless cars.
A team of researchers from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona tested the mathematical law known as Zipf's Law on a large database of English-language texts in the Project Gutenberg. The study found that 55% of the texts fit perfectly into Zipf's Law, while 40% do when including rare words.
Recent studies reveal that bilingualism alters brain networks for skilled cognition and fluent language performance, facilitating new learning.