The purpose of our lab is to investigate the nature of human communication in both verbal and non-verbal aspects. We believe that we can have precious information about it from research on children’s language development. We also believe that the process of children’s acquisition of language and communication skills will provide precious views to evolution of language.
Our recent focus rests on ostensive communication, that is, communication with explicit cues of intentional communication.
How ostensive communication is established by pointing, eye gaze and combination of these?
What are the roles of demonstratives (this, that) in ostensive communication?
Are young children sensitive to ostensive cues? Is this ability related to language development?
Two-year-olds are already sensitive to subtle finger movements with pointing that convey referential intentions (Evolang 9).
Adults use demonstratives and nouns to refer objects in efficient ways in joint action (International Journal of Social Robotics).
Organizer
Visiting researcher
Graduate students
Undergraduate students
Stuff
OB / OG