Babbling babies trying to make conversation

YOUR babbling baby may be trying to tell you something, research has found.

Scientists have for the first time found strong evidence that the incoherent noises of an infant are linked to language.

Previously, no-one knew whether baby babble was language-related or merely the result of meaningless mouth movements.

Researchers from the United States and Canada analysed video clips of 10 babies aged between five and 12 months.

During some sequences babies were babbling, in others making non-babbling sounds such as “aah”, and in others just smiling.

In each case the scientists measured whether the babies’ mouth opened more on the right or left side.

The brain’s language-centre is located on the left side of the brain, which controls the right side of the face.

More movement towards the right side of the mouth indicates that the language machinery is being engaged.

The researchers reported in the journal Science that the babies’ mouths did indeed open more on the right side during babbling.

However, when the babies made non-babbling sounds both sides opened equally.

In the case of babies smiling, the mouth opened more on the left side. This was thought to be due to emotion-related activity which is centred in the right side of the brain.

Professor Ann Petitto, from Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, said: “This discovery suggests that language functions

specialise in the brain at a very early age.” ‘Right mouth asymmetry’ is the scientific term for the way the right side of the mouth opens slightly wider than the left while talking.

When looking at someone talking, the brain corrects for the disparity, making it virtually unnoticeable.

Researchers have studied right mouth asymmetry in adults to understand language control in the brain’s left hemisphere.

The researchers are now looking to see whether the technique can be used as a diagnostic tool for identifying incipient linguistic or developmental problems before a baby has uttered its first word.