Fine‐tuning language discrimination: Bilingual and monolingual infants’ detection of language switching

Fine-tuning language discrimination: Monolingual and bilingual infants’ detection of language switches

10.31234/osf.io/xkc9b ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Esther Schott ◽

Meghan Mastroberardino ◽

Eva Fourakis ◽

Casey Lew-Williams ◽

Krista Byers-Heinlein

Keyword(s):

Time Scales ◽

Fine Tuning ◽

Single Word ◽

Head Turn ◽

Language Switching ◽

Language Discrimination ◽

Language Identity ◽

Short Time ◽

Bilingual Learning ◽

Bilingual Proficiency

The ability to differentiate between two languages sets the stage for bilingual learning. Infants can discriminate languages when hearing long passages, but language switches often occur on short time scales with few cues to language identity. As bilingual infants begin learning sequences of sounds and words, how do they detect the dynamics of two languages? In two studies using the head-turn preference procedure, we investigated whether infants (n = 44) can discriminate languages at the level of individual words. In Study 1, monolingual and bilingual 8- to 12-month-olds were tested on their detection of single-word language switching in lists of words (e.g., “dog… lait [fr. milk]”). In Study 2, they were tested on language switching within sentences (e.g., “Do you like the lait?”). Infants detected language switching within sentences, but not in lists of words. Moreover, there was no difference between bilingual and monolingual infants’ performance. Based on these contrasting effects for natural sentences versus lists of words, we conclude that infants may detect language switches more successfully if preceded by sequences of sounds and words in a single language. The ability to detect disruptions in such sequences is likely important in supporting the beginnings of bilingual proficiency.

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Fine-Tuning Futures

ASHA Leader ◽

10.1044/leader.fq.22062017.np ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Christi Miller

Keyword(s):

Fine Tuning

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Food Safety Security: A new Concept for Enhancing Food Safety Measures

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000114 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 82 (3) ◽

pp. 216-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Venkatesh Iyengar ◽

Ibrahim Elmadfa

Keyword(s):

Food Safety ◽

Hazard Analysis ◽

Warning System ◽

Shared Responsibility ◽

Fine Tuning ◽

Strategic Action ◽

Surveillance Network ◽

Measurement Systems ◽

Critical Control Points ◽

The Impact

The food safety security (FSS) concept is perceived as an early warning system for minimizing food safety (FS) breaches, and it functions in conjunction with existing FS measures. Essentially, the function of FS and FSS measures can be visualized in two parts: (i) the FS preventive measures as actions taken at the stem level, and (ii) the FSS interventions as actions taken at the root level, to enhance the impact of the implemented safety steps. In practice, along with FS, FSS also draws its support from (i) legislative directives and regulatory measures for enforcing verifiable, timely, and effective compliance; (ii) measurement systems in place for sustained quality assurance; and (iii) shared responsibility to ensure cohesion among all the stakeholders namely, policy makers, regulators, food producers, processors and distributors, and consumers. However, the functional framework of FSS differs from that of FS by way of: (i) retooling the vulnerable segments of the preventive features of existing FS measures; (ii) fine-tuning response systems to efficiently preempt the FS breaches; (iii) building a long-term nutrient and toxicant surveillance network based on validated measurement systems functioning in real time; (iv) focusing on crisp, clear, and correct communication that resonates among all the stakeholders; and (v) developing inter-disciplinary human resources to meet ever-increasing FS challenges. Important determinants of FSS include: (i) strengthening international dialogue for refining regulatory reforms and addressing emerging risks; (ii) developing innovative and strategic action points for intervention {in addition to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) procedures]; and (iii) introducing additional science-based tools such as metrology-based measurement systems.

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