Articles
When do Babies learn Language?
Research shows babies begin to learn language sounds before they’re even born. In the womb, a mother’s voice is one of the most prominent sounds an unborn baby hears. By the time they’re born, newborns can not only tell the difference between their mother’s language and another language, but also show a capability of distinguishing between languages.Language learning depends on the processing of sounds. All the world’s languages put together comprise about 800 or so sounds. Each language uses only about 40 language sounds, or “phonemes,” which distinguish one language from another.
At birth, the baby brain has an unusual gift: it can tell the difference between all 800 sounds. This means that at this stage infants can learn any language that they’re exposed to. Gradually babies figure out which sounds they are hearing the most.
Between six and 12 months, infants who grow up in monolingual households become more specialized in the subset of sounds in their native language. In other words, they become “native language specialists.” And, by their first birthdays, monolingual infants begin to lose their ability to hear the differences between foreign language sounds.
Studying baby brains
What about those babies who hear two languages from birth? Can a baby brain specialize in two languages? If so, how is this process different then specializing in a single language?
Knowing how the baby brain learns one versus two languages is important for understanding the developmental milestones in learning to speak. For example, parents of bilingual children often wonder what is and isn’t typical or expected, or how their child will differ from those children who are learning a single language.
My collaborators and I recently studied the brain processing of language sounds in 11-month-old babies from monolingual (English only) and bilingual (Spanish-English) homes. We used a completely noninvasive technology called magnetoencephalography (MEG), which precisely pinpointed the timing and the location of activity in the brain as the babies listened to Spanish and English syllables.
We found some key differences between infants raised in monolingual versus bilingual homes.
At 11 months of age, just before most babies begin to say their first words, the brain recordings revealed that:
- Babies from monolingual English households are specialized to process the sounds of English, and not the sounds of Spanish, an unfamiliar language
- Babies from bilingual Spanish-English households are specialized to process the sounds of both languages, Spanish and English.
Is it OK to learn two languages?
This has important implications. Parents of monolingual and bilingual children alike are eager for their little ones to utter the first words. It’s an exciting time to learn more about what the baby is thinking. However, a common concern, especially for bilingual parents, is that their child is not learning fast enough.
We found that the bilingual babies showed an equally strong brain response to English sounds as the monolingual babies. This suggests that bilingual babies were learning English at the same rate as the monolingual babies.
Parents of bilingual children also worry that their children will not know as many words as children who are raised with one language. To some extent, this concern is valid. Bilingual infants split their time between two languages, and thus, on average, hear fewer words in each. However, studies consistently show that bilingual children do not lag behind when both languages are considered.
Vocabulary sizes of bilingual children, when combined across both languages, have been found to be equal to or greater than those of monolingual children.Another common concern is that bilingualism causes confusion. Part of this concern arises due to “code switching,” a speaking behavior in which bilinguals combine both languages.
For example, my four-year-old son, who speaks English, Spanish, and Slovene, goes as far as using the Slovene endings on Spanish and English words. Research shows bilingual children code-switch because bilingual adults around them do too. Code-switching in bilingual adults and children is rule-governed, not haphazard.
Unlike monolingual children, bilingual children have another language from which they can easily borrow if they can’t quickly retrieve the appropriate word in one language. Even two-year-olds modulate their language to match the language used by their interlocutor.
Researchers have shown code switching to be part of a bilingual child’s normal language development. And it could even be the beginning of what gives them the extra cognitive prowess known as the “bilingual advantage.”
Bilingual kids are at an advantage
The good news is young children all around the world can and do acquire two languages simultaneously. In fact, in many parts of the world, being bilingual is the norm rather than an exception.
It is now understood that the constant need to shift attention between languages leads to several cognitive advantages. Research has found that bilingual adults and children show an improved executive functioning of the brain – that is, they are able to shift attention, switch between tasks and solve problems more easily.
Bilinguals have also been found to have increased metalinguistic skills (the ability to think about language per se, and understand how it works). There is evidence that being bilingual makes the learning of a third language easier. Further, the accumulating effect of dual language experience is thought to translate into protective effects against cognitive decline with aging and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
So, if you want your child to know more than one language, it’s best to start at an early age, before she even starts speaking her first language. It won’t confuse your child, and it could even give her a boost in other forms of cognition.
6 Strategies to be Memorable at a Networking Event
Be Easy to Listen To
Sound expert Julian Treasure says conversation killers include gossip, judgment, negativity, complaining, exaggeration, accusations, and being a “blame-thrower.” These types of communication are simply hard to listen to, he says. According to Treasure, the four powerful cornerstones of good conversation spell HAIL: honesty (being clear and straight), authenticity (being yourself), integrity (actually doing what you say you will), and love (wishing people well).
How do you do this in a quick networking conversation? You can be honest and authentic by asking genuine questions when a topic comes up that you know nothing about—instead of nodding along and pretending like you get it. When saying goodbye at the end of the event, think of something specific from your conversation that you can reference, then wish the person well. It’s as easy as that.
Create Conversational Chemistry
According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, positive conversations can induce the production of oxytocin. And oxytocin elevates our ability to collaborate and trust others. Conversations that show concern for others, are based in truth, and share a vision of mutual success are among those that result in this kind of good chemistry.
Instead of spending time trying to convince someone to see your side of an issue (a.k.a., trying to be controversial and groundbreaking), share a positive thought that’s mutually beneficial and useful to the person you’re talking to. You can prepare this positive thought ahead of time by looking up current, relevant industry news that would be interesting to the people you’re meeting.
Encourage Self-Disclosure
It’s common sense that we like to talk about ourselves, but there’s actually a chemical reaction associated with self-disclosure that we find inherently rewarding. According to a study published in the Proceedings From the National Academy of Sciences, self-disclosure was strongly associated with increased activation in dopamine centers of the brain, the same regions that respond to rewards like food and money.
So, create an environment that invites other people to tell you about themselves. A great approach is to come in with some great conversation starters to aid in the effort to draw people out. For example, instead of talking to someone about how his or her week is going, you can get specific and ask, “What was the highlight of your week?” The former usually leads to a short answer (“it’s going”); the latter is a chance for the other person to really open up.
Ask for Stories, Not Answers
Sharing stories creates a connection and stimulates an emotional memory that helps usgive meaning to our experiences and interactions. Eliciting stories from people you’re just meeting can also help you get a lot more information, as well as a better understanding of where they are coming from, both literally and metaphorically.
Refrain from asking “What do you do?” or “Where are you from?” Instead ask: “What are you working on these days?” or “What was the town like where you grew up?”
Skip the Small Talk
Research suggests that talking about more substantive issues can actually make us happier than engaging in traditional small talk. Slipping some details into small talk can elevate the conversation to a greater level of engagement.
So, if someone asks where you’re from, add a bit of trivia about your hometown. Or if someone asks what you do, talk briefly about what drew you to the profession. Either answer should lead to the person inquiring more about what you said, which gets you away from chit-chat and closer to having a memorable exchange.
Use Your Instrument to its Best Capacity
Having meaningful conversations doesn’t just have to do with what you say, but also how you say it. You’ll come off as much more interested (and interesting) if you vary your tone so you don’t sound monotone or disengaged. Try speaking slower and quieter, which can actually draw people in. Also, don’t be scared to embrace silence; it’s better than filling the space with “ahs” and “ums.”
Elevate your conversation above the distractions and small talk at your next networking or social event to create connections that really matter.
Language and Cultural Issues MATTER!
How many times have you had difficulty with communicating with a non-native speaker of English or understanding someone with a heavy accent? Can you recall the frustration by both parties? Imagine what happens when miscommunication happens in the workplace and the impact it has on productivity, efficiency, and morale. Financial losses can result from errors, safety, lost time, or HR issues. Differences in language and culture affect business operations on the plant floor and in the office, with customer service and communication with vendors. Ultimately, these communication issues affect the bottom line.Using idioms or jargon can cause problems. Native English speakers take them for granted, but for people whose first language is not English, they are confusing. We speak too fast for people who may be “translating” in their head as they listen to us. Even between people whose primary language is English, misunderstandings or misinterpretations occur on a regular basis. Asking “Do you understand?” or telling someone to “call me if you have questions” are often not effective because employees may genuinely believe they understand what is being asked of them and do not ask any questions. The absence of questions can be a result of fear—fear of looking incompetent, fear of jeopardizing their jobs, fear of losing respect. The result can be that the error caused by miscommunication is not fully realized until the task has been completed.
Behavioral differences also create misunderstandings and tension. There are many variations of appropriate behavior regarding personal space, eye contact and physical contact. A worker looking down to show respect when speaking with a supervisor can be perceived by the supervisor as being dishonest or “hiding something.” Sensitivity to cultural differences where you work or travel substantially reduces risk, misunderstandings, or lost business.
If you employ or market to a multicultural workforce, consider how you can assess and improve workplace communication issues:
- Would it be helpful to provide facilitators when introducing programs or training to your workforce?
- Does the customer service department speak clearly and slowly to make doing business with your company easy?
- Are safety advisories marked with universal symbols?
- Have customers or valuable employees been lost because of language or cultural misunderstandings?
- When planning to upgrade sytems or equipment, will your loyal long-time workers get the training they need in a language they can understand to succeed with the new challenge?
How You Sound: As Important as How You Look
She enters the client meeting; dressed impeccably, every hair in place, nails polished, well educated, and well-prepared. She speaks. Yikes!!! Does her vocal image echo her visual image? The quality of your voice, volume, articulation, and body language combine to form vocal presence, a suite that either reflects your intelligence and competence…..or not! As important as the clothes you wear and the expertise you possess are the words you use and the way in which you use and transmit them. Your vocal image is your audible “brand” and the quality of that brand determines whether you are credible about what you are transmitting, whether your knowledge is substantive, and whether you are likeable, charismatic, and approachable enough for people to WANT to listen to what you have to say and to take you seriously.Vocal presence can have major influence on your career path. In reality, the quality of your communication style can actually affect your listener’s perception of your capabilities and professionalism. Your vocal presence is the vehicle to convey ‘’gravitas’’ and to minimize the differences between you (the transmitter) and your audience (the receiver). Whether you are informing, persuading, or presenting, this vocal image is a major factor in the success or failure of your intended outcome. These factors include, but are not limited to:
- Volume. To be effective, voice volume should be scaled to circumstance. Your voice should be appropriately scaled for close contact or projection to everyone in a larger room. An intimate whisper is inappropriate for a boardroom presentation.
- Tonality. All dressed up in a “power suit” doesn’t impress your audience or win you any points if your voice emerges as a donkey’s bray, growly voice, or high-pitched squeak.
- Accents and Regionalisms. Everyone has an accent. It’s part of what makes you unique. If your accent makes understanding difficult and your listener must struggle to understand you, you are not helping your cause. The speaker must always be mindful of differences in vocabulary and usage from region to region. The goal is always comprehension and anything that interferes with clarity of communication will subtly undermine your image and hinder the achievement of your objective.
- Vocal Affectations. “Valley girls” don’t belong in business. And neither do statements ending in a question (upspeak). To be taken seriously and exude gravitas and assurance, you must not allow “vocal fry, ” “growly,” or “cute little girl” voices to be a part of your “business persona.” A professional woman must be cognizant of pitch, word choice, distracting space fillers (“ummmm,” OK?, “like,” “you know”) and meaningless phrases or body movements like lip licking, hair twirling, head tilting, hair tossing, or looking bored or angry.
- Word Choice. Using qualifying words or fillers can be demeaning factors to your credibility. Removing words like “just” from your sentences creates a more powerful sentence without changing the content. Notice the difference between “I just want to let you know what I think could be a good solution to the problem” and “I want to suggest a potentially viable solution to this problem.