Developmental linguistics

Our research investigates the different stages in first and second language acquisition and loss. We work across the whole lifespan, from newborn babies to language learning in old age. We study typical learners and atypical populations such as children with autism or Specific Language Impairment. 

We are especially keen to promote interdisciplinary research with people working on developmental topics in neighbouring disciplines. Research projects include collaborations with staff in Psychology, Education, and Medicine.

Groups and facilities

We are affiliated with the following groups and facilities.

Wee Science

Edinburgh Laboratory for Language Development (ELfLanD)

Bilingualism Matters

Developmental Lab

People

Staff working in this area include:

Image	Research interests
Professor Vicky Chondrogianni	First and second language acquisition; child bilingualism; psycholinguistics; language impairment
Professor Jennifer Culbertson	How languages are shaped by learning and use (in children and adults); typological universals; artificial language learning.
Professor Mits Ota	Phonological and lexical development in L1 and L2; atypical phonetic/phonological development.
Dr Barbora Skarabela (Psychology)	Child language development; input (child-direct speech); systematicity; learnability; joint attention; discourse-pragmatics; morpho-syntax; referential expressions.
Professor Kenny Smith	Experimental models of cultural evolution; biological evolution of language learning biases/strategies; cross-situational learning
Professor Antonella Sorace	Bilingual first language development; second language acquisition; syntax-pragmatics interface; argument structure; reciprocal effects of bilingualism and general cognition in early and late bilinguals.
Shira Tal	TBC

Postgraduate study

• MSc Developmental Linguistics

Meetings

We hold regular meetings together with the Bilingualism Research Group. To receive email announcements for these meetings, contact Hyowon Kwon, s1626300@ed.ac.uk or Shuya Chen s2164197@ed.ac.uk 

Developmental linguistics research seminars