Matthew Slayton

Here’s one of the most fascinating child development videos I’ve ever shared. As your baby learns language, they begin by approximating the examples you set. After a period of early experimentation with sound (including cries, coos and gurgles), infants begin babbling - making speech-like sounds (which often include components of conventional speech) that are - nonetheless - not yet conventionally meaningful. This babbling phase is a precursor to the use of formal words. And it happens in all languages. Including sign language. This video shows an infant (who, by the way, is not hearing impaired) “babbling” to her deaf grandparents. As they sign to her, she responds in kind, using her hands to approximate the signed communication that they are modeling. It’s a whole serve and return conversation, just as if they were conversing verbally. If you’ll watch carefully, you’ll note distinct turn taking. And - interestingly - that with her grandparents she largely avoids vocalizations, in favor of gesture. What a treat to see this rich example of bilingual language development. This fascinating video was shared to TT by mara_mccullough.

Big news! 🎉 The lab will be moving to Duke University in 2025 where I will serve as a tenured Professor in the Departments of Neurosurgery & Biomedical Engineering!