Brain development expert Dr. Patricia Kuhl will speak on 'How Infants Crack the Speech Code' on Aug. 23

Monday, Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m.
Wendy Williamson Auditorium

Dr. Patricia Kuhl, one of the world's preeminent researchers on early language and brain development, will discuss the new discoveries about early learning with special attention to language. Research shows that infants use computation to 'crack the speech code,' but that social interaction also plays a critical role. 'Motherese,' the exaggerated, high-pitched speech we use to speak to babies, is used in virtually every language studied.

These precursors to language in typically developing infants are leading to the identification of children at risk for developmental disabilities involving language, such as autism. Soon, the techniques of modern neuroscience will play an ever-increasing role in our understanding of the interaction between biology and culture in human learning. For more information, contact Marian Bruce at (907) 786-1057 or anmkm@uaa.alaska.edu.

This event is sponsored by the Honors College.