Babies can identify language differences at just 4 months old, research reveals

Think babies are just little clueless humans? A remarkable new study published by Developmental Science shows that 4-month-old babies are already able to distinguish between languages by simply hearing the sounds of their words. Researchers discovered that these tiny linguists are more attuned than we ever could have dreamed, catching on to fine differences in speech well before they are able to utter their first words. This finding adds a new dimension to how early language acquisition is initiated, with the implication being that babies are born to be multilingual. But how do they manage it? And what are the implications for language development? Scientists are only now beginning to crack the code on the infant brain.

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Before they can even say their first words, babies are already fine-tuning their ears for language! A groundbreaking study has revealed that infants as young as four months old can distinguish between speech sounds from different languages—even ones they’ve never heard before.
Previously, researchers believed this ability developed around six to twelve months, but new findings suggest that babies start recognizing how different languages are spoken much earlier. For example, an English-speaking infant might notice subtle distinctions in Hindi or Mandarin sounds that an adult English speaker wouldn’t detect. However, this skill fades over time as babies become more attuned to the language they hear most frequently.

This discovery challenges previous assumptions about early language development and raises exciting questions. Could early exposure to multiple languages have lasting benefits? Scientists are eager to explore how infants absorb and process speech sounds—possibly making them natural-born language learners.

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A groundbreaking study has revealed that babies as young as four months old can recognize how different speech sounds are formed, challenging previous assumptions about early language development. Researchers conducted an experiment using two invented mini-languages—one with lip-based sounds like “b” and “v” and another with tongue-tip sounds like “d” and “z.” Infants were shown words paired with cartoon images, helping them form associations between sounds and visuals.
But the real surprise came next—when babies watched silent videos of a person speaking these new words, they spent more time looking at faces that matched the speech sounds they had learned. This suggests that even before babbling, infants are actively learning how language works, not just by hearing it but by recognizing the way it is physically produced.
This discovery sheds new light on how early humans begin understanding speech, long before they say their first words.