Language and Learning Group

Language and learning group image

The Language and Learning group carry out research on a wide range of issues in psycholinguistics, using both experimental and computational methods. Some of the key issues that we investigate include:

processing of visually presented words
computational modelling of visual word processing
production, comprehension, and development of gestures
big data analysis of language development and historical changes in language
acquisition of words and syntactic structures during infancy and childhood in both first and second languages
word meaning and lexical representation
phonological and syntactic-like capabilities in non-human animals
call acquisition in non-human animals

We have the state-of-the-art labs: infant testing facilities, an Eye Link 1000 eye tracker, PCs configured for tachistoscopic displays and a multi-modal interaction lab. We also conduct research at a number of wild field sites (Australia, South Africa, Uganda) and captive research facilities (within and outside the UK) where animal vocal behaviour can be studied observationally and experimentally.

We welcome PhD applications in all areas of language and learning

Key areas of research

Lexical Representation

This area combines empirical methods with computational modelling to investigate a range of questions. How are the meanings of words cognitively represented and used to interpret language? How do word meanings develop? How is ambiguity and vagueness in word meaning represented? Can cognitive linguistic descriptions be integrated with psycholinguistic models and generative representations?

Acquiring syntactic representations

We explore when and how children acquire syntactic representations and how their processing of syntax develops. We use syntactic priming methods to explore language production and eye tracking to explore sentence comprehension skills.

From print to sound

We investigate how readers use the information in a printed word to produce its sound, and how this contributes to meaning. Our approaches include tracking children as they develop, experimental interventions and computational simulations.

Gestures during speaking and thinking

We investigate gestures that are spontaneously produced during speaking and thinking. We investigate how gesture production and speech production influence each other, how speech and gesture are integrated during comprehension and how gesture and speech develop together during childhood.

Comparative Communication and Cognition

We are interested in the complexity underlying vocal communication and cognition in animals. By taking a broad comparative approach focusing on both primate, non-primate mammals and birds (chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, wolves, meerkats, pied babblers) we aim to unpack the similarities and differences between animal and human communication and ultimately understand how unique the human language faculty is and what selective conditions might have been responsible for its evolution.

Prediction in language, learning, and conversation

We use behavioural experiments and eye-tracking to understand how our brain’s ability to predict what is coming next supports language learning and use in conversation. We study both children and adults, and are interested in both native language acquisition and use and adult second language acquisition. Amongst the questions we ask are: how does prediction affect how quickly we can process incoming language? How does prediction support our ability to quickly take turns in conversation? What happens when our predictions turn out to be wrong? How do expectation violations affect memory for linguistic information? What role do curiosity and surprise play in language learning and how is this role related to our ability to predict?

Research Labs

Communication Development Lab

Our research focus is the development of communication. We study children from birth up to the age of 16 to explore how humans acquire the skill to communicate across their lifetime. Our primary focus is how children learn language and gesture. We also study adults on occasion, either to use as a comparison point or to see how the communication development continues into adulthood.

Cognitive Science of Reading Lab

Our research looks at the way people perceive information about the written word and retrieve information about the words that they see. Our methods involve focused laboratory experiments, statistical analyses of large databases, and computational modelling.

Ape Tank

Our team researches the origins of human behaviour and mind, and are focused on shedding insight into language origins, dance and music evolution, and the precursors of imagination.

Group Members

Dr James Adelman	Dr Suzanne Aussems
Dr Alex Clarke	Dr Ed Donnellan
Dr Hester Duffy	Dr Luke Duncan
Dr Olga Feher	Dr Chiara Gambi
Dr Chiara De Gregorio	Professor Thomas Hills
Professor Sotaro Kita	Dr Adriano Lameira
Dr Matthew Mak	Dr Michelle McGillion
Dr Clare Patterson	Dr Ani Permana
Dr Simon Townsend	Dr Tiziano Travain
Dr Jiahao Yang (RA)

Honorary

Dr Leone Buckle

Dr Aaron Cousins

Dr Slava Dantchev

Dr Katharina Helming

Dr Marta Wesierska

Dr Kate Messenger

Associate Members in Other Departments

Dr Clay Beckner (Centre for Applied Linguistics)

Dr Richard Moore (Philosophy)

Dr Christopher Strelluf (Centre for Applied Linguistics)

Research Students

Teruni Ahamat	Sutong Duan
Charlotte Gannon	Kirsty Green
Ying Guo	Mingtong Li
Shivani Patel	Melissa Reddy
Yibai Zhu

Scientific impact at Warwick

Dizzy apes provide clues on human need for mind altering experiences finds Dr Adriano Lameria and colleagues: Find out more here.

Dr Adriano Lameira’s research on how the prevalence of consonants in the human language could have evolved from orangutans who have sophisticated use of their mouths, continues in international media, and has been covered by Science in Poland.

Professor Thomas Hills investigates:

Department of Psychology