Babies process foreign languages heard in the womb
Babies process foreign languages they heard in utero much like their mother tongue, researchers find.
Why it matters
- Newborns' brains react differently to languages heard before birth.
- First study to use brain imaging to show prenatal language processing.
- Suggests language development begins before birth, impacting speech disorder detection and treatment.
By the numbers
- 60 pregnant participants, 39 exposed to foreign languages.
- 10 minutes of French and another language (Hebrew or German) exposure daily.
- 42% of babies showed language processing in the left temporal lobe for familiar foreign languages.
The big picture
- Fetuses develop familiarity with languages during gestation, shaping brain networks at birth.
- Study supports the idea that newborn brains are not blank slates.
What they're saying
- Experts note that this doesn't mean babies learn languages prenatally, but they develop familiarity.
- Clinicians highlight the importance for understanding and treating speech disorders.
Caveats
- Unclear how much prenatal exposure is needed for language processing effects.
- Study focused on brain activation, not long-term language learning outcomes.
What’s next
- Further research needed to understand the exact amount of prenatal exposure required.
- Potential implications for early detection and treatment of speech disorders.