Articles tagged with Language Acquisition
Researchers from UC Davis MIND Institute develop a home-based language testing method using telehealth, allowing Spanish-speaking parents to assess their children's language abilities. The study found the parent-led test to be feasible, reliable, and effective in both English and Spanish-speaking groups.
A recent study found that using mechanical tools can improve understanding of complex sentences and vice versa. Researchers discovered that motor training with tools activates the same brain region as syntax exercises, suggesting that these skills rely on shared neurological resources.
Young people who consider themselves ‘multilingual’ perform better across a wide range of subjects at school, regardless of their language proficiency. Research shows that encouraging pupils to identify with languages and value different styles of communication can support academic progress.
A University of Cambridge study found that Jewish autistic children who learn Hebrew as a second language benefit from their cultural identity and community involvement. Parents and teachers rejected outdated professional advice, instead teaching pupils Hebrew to enhance their spiritual and family life.
Researchers aim to understand language development in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and Fragile X syndrome by examining grammar skills and executive functions. The study will gather data on a two-year developmental window, providing comprehensive insights for families and potential improvements in communication.
A University of Kansas study examined three key cognitive functions in teaching writing to Hispanic English learners, revealing word retrieval skills, verbal language skills, and working memory are crucial for success. The research highlights the negative effects of a lack of bilingual education on these students' writing abilities.
A study by Boston University researcher Jennifer Zuk found that the brain's organizational pathways, known as white matter, set a foundation for language learning abilities within the first year of life. This is reflected in children born with higher indications of white matter organization having better language skills five years later.
A parent-led therapy for early signs of autism has significantly reduced the likelihood of an autism diagnosis at age three. The iBASIS-VIPP program uses video-feedback to support social development and unique abilities, resulting in increased parental sensitivity and language development.
A Tokyo University of Science researcher analyzed 8,000 infant names and found that common boys' name "大翔" has at least 18 readings, while girls' name "結愛" has at least 14. The study shows that parents use various readings, including non-existent ones, and abbreviate common readings.
Researchers investigated how to measure joint attention in young infants who cannot yet talk. The study revealed low agreement among raters in assigning looks from infants to their mothers, challenging the idea that quality of infant looks can be reliably distinguished as a marker of joint attention.
A study found that beat gestures produced by infants between 14 and 58 months predict improvements in their oral narrative skills at later ages. The researchers analyzed speech and gesture production in 45 children, comparing the predictive value of beat gestures to other types of gestures.
A study by Florida Atlantic University finds that minority language exposure does not hinder English acquisition in US-born children. In fact, bilingualism is associated with greater total language knowledge. By age 5, balanced bilinguals show stronger English skills than some English-dominant peers.
The University of Tartu and Tilde are developing a cutting-edge machine translation platform to advance Estonian translation capabilities. The project aims to create practical tools for public institutions, translation agencies, and developers, leveraging new approaches like modular transformer-type neural networks.
Research from Georgia State University psychology researchers shows that twins produce fewer gestures and use language less than their singleton peers. However, when one child lags behind in gesture, the other tends to lag as well, suggesting a close link between gesture and speech in early development.
Researchers are bridging gaps between scientists from different fields to merge knowledge and create innovated, reliable products. Biophotonic innovations are expected to transform healthcare for the next few decades.
Researchers found that newborns' brains can process voice pitch but struggle with the spectral and temporal fine structure of sounds. The study's findings suggest that neural encoding of speech sounds develops over time, providing a potential biomarker for early detection of language impairments.
A UTokyo-MIT study reveals multilingual adults can learn new languages faster and more efficiently than bilinguals, thanks to increased brain activity. Multilingual participants demonstrated superior language acquisition skills and faster processing times in a simulated Kazakh language learning environment.
A recent study found that bilingual babies have a similar interest in infant-directed speech as monolingual babies, and are developmentally on track. The study showed that exposure to one language does not hinder the learning of another, and that parents can confidently babble to their babies in one or two languages.
A study examining over 67,000 infant vocalisations found that babies as young as one month old produce complex melodies, laying the foundation for later speech. The research suggests that infants' brains mature rapidly and undergo 'preparatory' development before birth to enable melody production.
Researchers developed a powerful tool to map language development and human innovation over thousands of years, including pre-history. The 'linguistic thermometer' uses statistical physics to analyze the evolutionary dynamics of language, revealing how languages change over time.
A new study suggests that Dense Breast Notifications (DBNs) have achieved partial success in informing women about their breast density, with higher rates of notification and discussions with providers in states with mandated DBN laws. However, the study also found disparities in knowledge and awareness among women of different race/et...
Research finds that taking turns in 'conversation' with caregivers relates to synchronized activation in language areas, shaping brain function. Weaker connectivity in the bottom-up subnetwork is associated with more conversational turns at home.
A study on language aptitude identified key components of language acquisition as cognitive, emotional, and personality-related characteristics. Effective language learning depends on thought process, emotional experience, motivation, and personal traits such as self-esteem and anxiety levels.
A research team from MedUni Vienna found that around half of children with a migration background have no clinically relevant language acquisition impairment, but rather sociolinguistic factors such as limited input in their mother tongue. The 'Vienna Model' incorporates native speakers to facilitate more accurate diagnosis.
The article discusses emerging applications of AI-related medicine, including novel diagnostic approaches, metadata analytical methods, and AI-aided treatment applications in preclinical and clinical uses. New progress in AI-aided disease prediction holds tremendous potential for future clinical use.
A new software tool can accurately predict motor development disorders in preterm infants based on early MRI scan data. The tool quantifies diffuse white matter abnormality (DWMA) volume, which serves as a biomarker for brain developmental issues.
The rapid development of AI in medicine has led to new opportunities for clinicians. However, concerns about replacement have been raised. The authors explore the unlikelihood of complete replacement and propose adaptations to enable successful integration.
In a study of spoken language comprehension in 39 children aged 4-13, researchers found that the brain's right hemisphere was active early in life and contributed to language development. The results suggest an alternate route for language processing upon brain injury in young children.
A Cornell-led study reveals that sound combinations elicit emotionally intense responses, linking them to meaning. The research suggests that early humans may have used emotion to associate words with meanings, paving the way for language development.
Research by Binghamton University faculty highlights Spanish language's growing impact on US politics, with key findings including increased use of Spanish in campaign speeches and debates. The study suggests a divide between Democratic and Republican parties on the role of Spanish in election discourse.
Dyslexia compromises phoneme processing due to continuous acoustic variation in natural speech, making detection of phonemes challenging for individuals with developmental reading-deficit dyslexia. Neural-level evidence suggests difficulties in categorizing speech sounds, impacting the learning of native language phonemes.
A study found that children who used rhythmic gestures while narrating improved their oral narrative skills in terms of structure and fluency. The research suggests that body movements play a crucial role in language development, and multimodal training can enhance oral storytelling abilities.
A new study published in Clinical Pediatrics found that young children from low-income homes whose mothers used toxic household chemicals frequently showed delays in language development and scored lower on cognitive tests. The researchers analyzed data from 190 families and found no link between neighborhood pollution, mold, or pestic...
A new study from the University of Washington suggests that parentese, a simple grammar and words speaking style, enhances children's later language skills. Parents who participated in individual coaching sessions used parentese more often than control-group parents, resulting in increased child language output.
A study found that parent coaching interventions enhanced the use of parentese and parent-child turn-taking in conversations, leading to increased language development by 18 months. Socioeconomic status did not affect the observed links between parental speaking style and infant language development.
A national survey of women found that DBNs are not achieving their desired effects in reducing breast cancer awareness and screening. The study revealed greater anxiety and confusion among black women with higher incomes, while white women with higher incomes had more knowledge about breast density.
The study found that Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish languages use topicalization to move sentences elements to the front, making them stand out from other languages. This feature allows speakers to emphasize certain words without changing the overall meaning of the sentence.
A study on rock hyraxes reveals sexual differences in call duration and amplitude, challenging the Law of Brevity. Female hyraxes produce more affiliative calls, while males prioritize loud self-advertisement songs. The research provides clues for human language evolution.
Researchers found that children learn new words better when taught in the context of both well-known and unfamiliar objects, not just familiar ones. This suggests a new approach to boosting language development in young children.
Research suggests that children from economically deprived areas are three times more likely to have speech, language and communication concerns than their more affluent peers. This study highlights the need for policies addressing social factors that impact language development.
A Rutgers-led study found nearly half of language-delayed children with autism had extremely delayed fine motor skills, which hindered their ability to overcome language delays. In contrast, those with less impaired fine motor skills made progress in expressive language.
A South African study found a strong link between low language ability and ADHD-type attention problems, as well as depressive symptoms in adolescents. The research highlights the need for better support for children with reduced language ability to prevent long-term mental health issues.
A study of over 1,000 children found that those with an elder brother had a two-month delay in language development compared to those without an elder sibling. Elder sisters, on the other hand, did not seem to have a negative impact on their younger siblings' language skills.
A new standardised tool has been developed to assess cognitive and language development in two-year-olds, using the Parent Report of Children's Abilities Revised (PARCA-R) questionnaire. The tool provides reliable scores for clinicians and parents to identify advanced or delayed development.
Research in four-year-old children found that the right hemisphere can take over language functions when the left hemisphere is damaged early in development. This flexibility of the brain offers insight into typical language development and recovery from injury.
Finnish researchers compiled guidelines for international use of music to support spoken language development in hearing-impaired children. Music, particularly singing, benefits the brain and perception of speech and prosody in these children.
Researchers studied 27 deaf volunteers in Nicaragua to understand how NSL generates language; they found that symmetrical signs are fundamental to human conception of language. This discovery suggests that distinctions of symmetry are present even in isolated instances of language generation.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found a wide difference in language exposure among fetuses, ranging from five hours to two hours and 45 minutes. This study aims to inform best practices for NICU care and understand the impact on early brain development.
The UTSA researcher will work with 300 students over three years, assessing their oral language proficiencies and English reading outcomes. The project aims to inform instruction and assessment for bilingual/DLL students.
Researchers found that children and teens learn about 2 bits per minute to acquire linguistic knowledge, filling a 1.5 MB floppy disk. This challenges assumptions that human language acquisition happens effortlessly.
A study published in Cognition found that children with ASD learn language at a continuous pace, influenced by cognitive abilities and parental input. The research highlights the active role children play in shaping their linguistic environment, leading to diverse language development outcomes.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found a large-scale association between molecular gene expression activity and neural responses to speech in toddlers with autism. The researchers identified widespread gene expression activity across the genome, which was linked to whole-brain neural response to speech.
A new study from the University of Washington shows that parents who learn to speak parentese can improve their infants' language skills. Parents in the intervention group increased their use of parentese and directed more speech to their child, resulting in babies babbling more and producing more words by 14 months.
The ESRC-funded LuCiD Centre will explore why children develop language problems and how to identify those at risk. The research aims to inform effective interventions in early years education and healthcare.
Bilingual children develop each language at a slower pace due to divided input from the majority and heritage languages. Research by Erika Hoff finds that quantity of input and quality of exposure influence language growth.
Indigenous Latino immigrants are learning Spanish to aid integration and gain access to social services and job opportunities. In contrast, non-indigenous Latinos tend to learn English after arrival in the US.
Researchers found that nine-month-old children who heard baby talk words such as 'bunny' and 'choo-choo' more frequently grasped new words faster between 9-21 months. This suggests that specific types of baby talk words, like those ending in 'y', can facilitate vocabulary development.
A recent study by University of Miami psychologists found that vulnerable children benefit from interactions with their peers and teachers to develop literacy skills and social-emotional growth. The research reveals the significance of back-and-forth conversations between teachers and children in language development.
A study by Michigan State University found that children who can self-regulate earlier develop higher language and learning skills through second grade. Self-regulation enables children to keep information in their working memories, pay attention to tasks, and inhibit behaviors.
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.