Research indicates that 15-month-old infants possess the ability to deduce the meanings of nouns even without seeing the objects. This finding, led by scientists from Harvard and Northwestern University, highlights a critical developmental milestone in language acquisition. The implications of these abilities extend beyond mere language learning, potentially offering insights into treating learning disabilities. Additionally, this ability appears to differentiate humans from other animals, as no evidence suggests that nonhuman species can discuss absent or abstract concepts with the same complexity.
"The capacity to represent an unseen object and learn its name might be a building block for communication about more sophisticated abstract concepts."
"In this edited conversation with the Gazette, Luchkina discusses how she infers what infants are thinking, why her work could help treat learning difficulties, and whether the ability to discuss the unseen sets us apart in the animal kingdom."
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