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YouTube

The Birth of a Word

TED via YouTube

Overview

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Watch a fascinating 20-minute TED talk exploring how infants acquire language. Follow MIT researcher Deb Roy's groundbreaking study where he wired his house with video cameras to capture his son's linguistic development. Discover how Roy analyzed 90,000 hours of home video footage to trace the evolution of babbling sounds like "gaaaa" into fully formed words such as "water." Gain insights into the intricate process of language acquisition and its broader implications for human learning. This data-rich presentation offers a unique glimpse into the miraculous journey of a child's first words, shedding light on the complex interplay between environment, repetition, and cognitive development in shaping our ability to communicate.

Syllabus

Deb Roy: The birth of a word

Taught by

TED

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