Toddlers May Learn Language By Data Mining

Ponca City, We Love You writes "Toddlers' brains can effortlessly do what the most powerful computers with the most sophisticated software cannot: learn language simply by hearing it used. A ground-breaking new theory postulates that young children are able to learn large groups of words rapidly by data-mining. Researchers Linda Smith and Chen Yu attempted to teach 28 children, 12 to 14 months old, six words by showing them two objects at a time on a computer monitor while two pre-recorded words were read to them. No information was given regarding which word went with which image. After viewing various combinations of words and images, however, the children were surprisingly successful at figuring out which word went with which picture. Yu and Smith say it's possible that the more words tots hear, and the more information available for any individual word, the better their brains can begin simultaneously ruling out and putting together word-object pairings, thus learning what's what. Yu says if they can identify key factors involved in this form of learning and how it can be manipulated, they might be able to make learning languages easier for children and adults. Understanding children's learning mechanisms could also further machine learning."

Comments

under feeling the

[circletimessquare]

cognizant factors laughing mainly if no can wormhole torsion mostly antibacterial softly

got that?

Re:Interesting

[elloGov]

That's awesome man! I just learned "Da Da" two weeks ago and I am 20 something. I guess the time was just right.

Mining but not for data

[GodfatherofSoul]

My sister had a kid a year ago and the only mining I ever see him doing is in his nose.

Re:Interesting

[kongit]

hmm when I somehow come by a kid I will only talk to him in C. Eventually I will start talking in C++ to him. And lastly I will recite perl poetry. After he has mastered these 3 things I will introduce him to shakespeare. hmm maybe I won't be such a good parent, but my kid will be able to hack your kid's computer.

Re:Interesting

[Anonymous Coward]

I will start talking in C++ to him.

I'm pretty sure that qualifies as child abuse.

Re:Interesting, but...does it come with handles?

[gujo-odori]

Hmmm, let's call it, ummmm... I know! Data mining!

Re:Interesting

[mrogers]

"Dada" is easy, it's "surrealism" that trips a lot of kids up.

Hamlet in C

[Comboman]

2*B || !(2*B)

It always equates to true, so I guess Shakespeare was onto something.

Okay, it's mining

[theonetruekeebler]

I'm perfectly happy calling it mining because at least my toddler likes to mine the stream of words I use while driving for useful nuggets to repeat repeat to his mother the next time she's driving.

Every time a car pulls up next to us now he looks at it and says "Dear God!" And the last time his mom had to slam on brakes he giggled and said "What the fuck, huh?" And when she shrieked at him, that was just gasoline on the fire. For the rest of drive home all he could do was giggle and say "What the fuck, Mommy? Mommy? What the fuck, Mommy?"

This is not improving my sex life.