Overview

The infant speech study is funded by Sunway University College Internal Grant and is a collaboration project between researchers from Sunway University College, Malaysia and Lancaster University, UK.

The study focuses on infant’s speech and language development. Specifically, we are interested in understanding the development of tone perception in Chinese languages from multilingual backgrounds. Over 70% of languages are tone languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese dialect, Thai and partial tone (pitch-accent) languages such as Swedish and Japanese. English and Malay language on the other hand, are considered non-tone languages.

What is tone language?

Tone languages use lexical tone at the syllable level to contrast word meaning. Tone languages differ in thenumber and type of tones. For example, there are five distinct tones in Central Thai and four in Mandarin.

The present study

Our current study is looking at how babies exposed to tone languages in a multilingual environment develop. In other words, we are investigating how language develops in babies exposed to either just tone language/s (i.e. Mandarin/ Cantonese) or mixture of tone and non tone languages (i.e. Mandarin and English).

Implications of the study

Results from the research will be used to help academicians and professionals to better understand language development (specifically tone perception) in young infants and hopefully in the future contribute to our understanding of children with language problems.

We are currently looking for infants who are exposed to at least one Chinese language/ dialect to join the studies. For eligibility requirements, please refer to the Eligibility & Risks section. Infants and parents will be reimbursed for their time and effort in the studies. Please refer to the Reimbursement & Confidentiality section for more information. To register, please fill in the Registration Form.

What to Expect?

Infants and one of their caregivers will be invited to listen to tones in a quiet room for 15 minutes while watching some pictures on a TV screen. The caregiver will be asked a few questions before the session with the infant begins. All sessions will be videotaped. The researcher will answer all your questions before or during the session. Following this session, an optional developmental assessments can be carried out if caregivers would like to know the development of their infant. The assessment is free and will last approximately 30 minutes. 

How can I learn more?

Please call the Psychology Department and ask for Ms Woo or Ms Elaine at (03) 7491-8622 extension 3130. You can also email us at pjwoo@sunway.edu.my.