Understanding the link between language experience and language processing 

The CNLM will be hosting Duane Watson, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt University, in a colloquium where he will present his latest research.

Abstract: A speaker’s  language environment plays an important role in language use.  The language environment is critical for language learning and vocabulary growth in children, and in predicting the difficulty of processing words and sentences in adults. In this talk I will present a set of studies that will show that the relationship between language exposure and language use is complex.  I will present experimental evidence suggesting that daily internet reading habits are linked to language processing skills.   On the other hand, I will also present evidence showing that multiple exposures to complex sentences do not necessarily make these sentences easier to understand.  Finally, I will discuss some of the ways in which the spoken language environment can play a role in language use, and will present a pilot study showing that social factors, such as a shared opinion with a conversational partner, can influence subtle linguistic factors such as speech prosody.

This year, the series will be held in a virtual format with some speakers presenting in-person as well. We will keep registered participants updated on the possibility of an in-person event as the situation with COVID-19 evolves.