Chapters
10 items-
Why do we talk?: Introduction
How and why do we use language and speech?
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How do children learn to speak?
Dr Deb Roy has used cameras and microphones to record all his son's noises and speech from birth until he was three years old, so he can understand how we learn to talk.
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Why can't animals talk?
Humans are the only species that can talk extensively; not even our closest relative, the chimp, can speak. But why is this?
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How does the brain work with regards to speech?
Steve Steere was involved in an accident which left him unable to speak properly. Now, Steve undergoes testing to see what parts of the brain are involved in speech development and usage.
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When does a brain switch on to language?
A look at how and when babies start to respond to the speech and language around them.
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Why is it difficult to learn a language as an adult?
Christopher Taylor is autistic and can speak over 20 languages. This also means he can learn words in new languages at an exceptional rate.
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Could we develop language on our own?
It is unethical to isloate a child and raise it in silence to see if they would develop speech on their own. However, one scientist has got around this, by using birds.
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How do we speak?
It appears that language is built into our genes, but unpicking the component of language is a huge challenge.
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Why do we actually talk?
An insight into why humans came to speak and how they came about creating language.
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Final Summary
Language and speech will change from generation to generation, with many different aspects effecting its development.
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Photo: William Fifer
Professor William Fifer is investigating whether new born babies can tell the difference between their Mother’s voices and strangers voices.
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Photo: Faraneh Vargha-Khadem
Professor Faraneh Vargha-Khadem, who works at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience.
Credits
- Director
- Damon Thomas
- Producer
- Penny Palmer
- Executive Producer
- Andrew Cohen
