Comparative linguistic analysis of the development of bird song and children's language

This project is currently running within the research pillar Optimal Development of the Utrecht University strategic theme Dynamics of Youth.

Title:

Comparative linguistic analysis of the development of bird song and children's language.

Summary:

In children, language acquisition is crucial for the development of identity, communication skills and adaptation to a changing environment. Song birds that learn their songs are a good animal model for language acquisition since the process happens much faster in birds and can be placed under complete experimental control.

In this project, we are comparing the development of speech and language in children with the learning of song in zebra finches. We are testing a theory in which both ‘static’ learning processes and inherited factors regarding intonation (‘prosody’) are important in language development among children and investigating whether the zebra finches learn their songs in a comparable way.

Main applicant:

Prof. dr. Johan Bolhuis (Professor of Cognitive Neurobiology, Social and Behavioural Sciences)

Co-applicants:

Prof. dr. René Kager (Humanities)
Dr. Gabriël Beckers (Science)
Prof. dr. Martin Everaert (Humanities)

Funding:

Dynamics of Youth call Seed Money 2013

Read more about the research pillar Optimal Development.