Assessments of language learning in 18-month-olds suggest that children are better at grasping the names of objects with repeated syllables, over words with non-identical syllables. Researchers say the study may help explain why some words or phrases, such as ‘train’ and ‘good night’, have given rise to versions with repeated syllables, such as choo-choo and night-night.
The researchers say such words are easier for infants to learn, and may provide them with a starter point for vocabulary learning.
A team from the University of Edinburgh assessed the infants’ language learning behavior in a series of visual and attention tests using pictures on a computer screen of two unfamiliar objects.
Researchers validated their results with a control test, in which the infants responded to pictures of familiar objects -- such as a dog or an apple.
Previous studies show that infants more easily learn patterns involving repetition in visual sequences and musical notes. Researchers say these latest findings show that this tendency also applies to word learning.