Precursors to spatial language The case of containment

Susan J. Hespos, Elizabeth S. Spelke

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapterpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this chapter we ask whether there are similar developmental trajectories for natural language phonology and auditory perception compared to natural language semantics and concepts. What is new about this approach with respect to the discussion of spatial entities is that it offers insight from a previously unstudied population. We look at preverbal infants who are at the beginning stages of learning about spatial entities. The rationale is that, when children construct new cognitive abilities, they build on component cognitive systems that have a long ontogenetic history (Spelke 2000). Furthermore young infants have limited experience with language, so in many ways they offer insight to a system that has not been influenced by linguistic categories.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHuman Cognitive Processing
PublisherJohn Benjamins Publishing Company
Pages233-245
Number of pages13
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameHuman Cognitive Processing
Volume20
ISSN (Print)1387-6724

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2007 John Benjamins Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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