The Language of Humanity: A Marvel in Communication Language is truly a wonder of humanity. Across the globe, there are many different languages, such as Chinese, English, German, Arabic, and many others. These languages have been passed down through generations and spread widely. Among them, Chinese is the most spoken language, while English is the most widely used language, both demonstrating resilience over time. It is through language that communication between people gains real meaning.
When newborns arrive in the world, they do not yet know how to speak. The only way they can express their emotions is by crying: they cry when hungry and want milk; they cry when they need to relieve themselves. Typically, a child takes about a year to transition from not speaking to uttering their first words. During this stage, parents need to care for and observe their children closely to understand their true needs through their expressions and actions. So, how do children learn to speak?
1. Regular Exposure to Adult Communication
In reality, the initial process of children learning to speak is an unconscious one, akin to natural absorption. When children lie in their cribs or are held by their parents, their ears are tuned to the conversations of the adults around them. Over time, children start to imitate and can pronounce a few simple words. Some adults slow down their speech or patiently teach children word by word, which is also an effective approach.
Children learning to speak is an unconscious process. (Illustrative image).
2. Learning Through External Stimuli
Today, educational resources are abundant. Many young parents, despite lacking experience in raising children, always wish for their children not to miss out. Therefore, from the moment their child is born, they buy many picture books and enroll in early education classes. When they share these educational materials with their children, the images and sounds in the books stimulate the child’s brain, helping them learn the words within.
The Experiment of the “New Language of Infants”
These methods are widely used and very effective. However, an interesting question arises: If infants who do not know how to speak are placed in an isolated environment, with no exposure to the outside world and no instruction to speak, would they create a new language on their own? This bold idea has intrigued modern scientists, but so far, there is no answer.
In fact, not only in modern times but also in ancient history, similar experiments have been conducted. A classic example is the “New Language of Infants” experiment conducted by Pharaoh Psamtik I of Egypt during the 26th Dynasty. He believed that the first human language originated from Egypt, but upon hearing opinions that the oldest civilization was not Egypt, he was furious.
The Content of Pharaoh’s Experiment
The Pharaoh gathered about a dozen newborns and placed them in an isolated room. These children were assigned caregivers, but they were strictly prohibited from communicating with the children, even through body language or actions. They were only allowed to meet the basic nutritional needs to ensure normal development.
Within one to two years, while the children of the same age were beginning to speak and walk, those in the experiment could only produce babbling sounds. Clearly, the experiment was a failure. No child developed a language on their own. The Pharaoh was very disappointed. Similar experiments were repeated in later periods, but none succeeded, and they even led to severe consequences: the participating children missed the critical period for language learning, and some even developed below-average intelligence.
Lessons Learned from the Experiment
Many have criticized this experiment, arguing that it was inhumane, using children to satisfy baseless ideas, causing significant harm to them. Language learning requires an appropriate environment. For instance, if we grow up in a Chinese-speaking environment, we will naturally learn Chinese; however, no matter how hard we try to learn a foreign language, it is challenging to reach a native level. Conversely, if we live abroad for a few years, our foreign language skills will improve rapidly.
Thus, the experiment of the “New Language of Infants” lacks scientific basis. Children cannot learn to speak naturally without the teaching and patient repetition from their parents. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s linguistic abilities and overall development.
