Role of consonant bias in word learning in infants

EU-funded scientists have investigated speech-sound processing in human infants to determine its role in the development of language and understand the origins of the consonant/vowel functional bias.

In speech processing as well as in the world’s languages, there is bias towards consonants compared to vowels. Consonants are more suited to lexical processing, while vowels are better for syntax-related processes. However, it wasn’t known whether this ‘division of labour’ was a uniquely human attribute that plays a role in early syntax and lexical acquisition, or the result of the asymmetry present in the input.

Further details: Role of consonant bias in word learning in infants