CROSSROADS Language StudioÊs Newsletter, November 2009

A recent study carried out in Germany
suggests that newborn babies display
rudimentary language skills from the day
they are born. The general belief has beenthat we humans can only start to imitate
the sounds of our parent’s voices fromaround the age of 12 weeks. But this study
shows that, from birth, babies mimic theintonations of their native tongue when
they cry.
There are those in the scientificcommunity who disagree with this finding,but the idea of abstract sounds - rhythms,
melodies and tones - being at the root of
language development does make somesense. And, the notion that babies would
start developing language skills by firstmimicking these basic elements of speechalso seems like a reasonable hypothesis.
Researchers believe the reason babies
can do this is because they have alreadybeen listening to the outside world –mother’s voice, etc – while still in thewomb. This suggests that you are not
crazy, Mom, for playing Mozart to them, or
speaking to them, before they are born.
They are listening!

The “baby crying”
research was carriedoutbyProfessor
Kathleen Wermke attheUniversityofWurzburg. The study
recorded and analysed the cries of 30
newborn babies in Germany and comparedthese with 30 newborn babies in France.
The results showed clear differences between
the two groups’ “cry melodies”. The Frenchbabies tended towards a rising “melody”,
starting in a low pitch and finishing on a highnote. The German babies did the opposite.
While the volume for both groups wasgenerally about the same, the researchers
found that French babies tended to start more
quietly and build up to a grand crescendo. TheGerman babies did, again, the opposite. These
patterns are consistent with generalcharacteristic differences between the twolanguages, they say.
This study does not, of course, analyse whybabies cry, but it does suggest that Baby istrying to express his/her needs, to “speak”, inhis/her mother tongue to get the message
across. So, listen up Mom (and Dad), nexttime Baby cries, Baby could be trying to give
you the answer to global warming, or a curefor the common cold! You never know…

NET LESSONS: Are you too busy to come toCROSSROADS?.... Try our lessons on the Internet!
It’s CROSSROADS in your home or office! You get
CROSSROADS’ great teachers, teaching programs,
even classmates, on-line! Call for details: 089 9217595

NET SITE OF THE MONTH:
Here’s a site for cry-babies:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8346058.stm
NET NOTEBOOK: Don’t forget to take a look at
the Internet activity notebook in our open-house.
You’ll find games, news and English learning sites.

Joshua Says: Well, I’m looking forward to the party on the 28 thand I hope to see many of our students and your friends there. Thekaraoke is especially enjoyed by everyone and is a lot of fun towatch. If anyone has a favorite English, French, Italian, Spanish,
Chinese,….. song you would like to sing, just let me know and I
will try to prepare the music for you. See you all at the party!

Junko Says: First impressions seem to be the strongest. And as our firsttime experiences have no previous examples to compare with or reflect upon,
we very easily believed them to be true. Take for example, studying English.
Often people are convinced that without a Japanese translation, or a reviewof the rules of grammar, one cannot understand or speak English. Most
people’s first experience studying English involves either or both of theseapproaches. But, this is one time we need to revalue our first experience.

Alessio Says: Hi everyone, winter is here, it’s pretty cold but
fortunately you will soon feel the warmth of our performance
party!!! How lucky…! There will be drama, music performances,
food (mine) and beverages, karaoke and more. So, please invite yourfriends because it is going to be funny : ) I love parties, don’t you?
It is always a good chance to meet new people and at Crossroads,
you will have an international party! See you there…

Greg Says: December is fast approaching and this will be the first time I havenot been in Australia during this month. This year I will be experiencing thewinter - and Christmas - in Japan for the first time. I plan to drive around a bit.
We are going to Hiroshima, Kobe and Wakayama during the Christmas
Season. If you have any recommendations as to what to do in these places,
please let me know. But, to tell you the truth, I really hate cold weather!!

Emilie Dit: Novembre en orange. Halloween a inauguré la saison duorange. Orange dans les arbres. Fruits de plaquemeniers et colorations
des feuilles. Orange dans les assiette. Potimarons et clémentines.
Orange de ma taie d'oreiller. Savon au parfum d'orange. Orange desmaillots de l'équipe de football Ehime FC. "Voir la vie en orange"
pourrait bien devenir la nouvelle expression du bonheur.

Drinks, Food,Karaoke and Performances!
DATE: Saturday, 28-11-‘09
TIME: 7:30pm
PLACE: here at Crossroads

Invite your friends and family
to join us.

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