Baby Talk

Rea was just at the doctor’s for a one year vaccine where she got three needles. The doctor had questions about how she was doing. She asked about how she was picking up language. The doctor said that at about one year old that she should be able to speak three words. There is a lot of babbling but there are the occasional clear expressions. The most memorable is when one day I walked into the house and she so exuberantly said, “Daddy!” Mommy helped her learn that one. She spoke “hajde” when she was learning to walk and “daj” when she wanted more. I wanted her to learn baby sign language and she had spontaneously signed “milk” and “eat” on separate occasions but generally doesn’t sign yet.

I do not know linguistics, the study of language, but it has been an area of some interest. What Rea learns is of primary interest to us and going back to basics is a very interesting perspective. I’m very curious in what Rea is experiencing when we communicate. There is communication going on in terms of emotion and body language – sometimes she is so intense in her expressions.

Even though I am focussed on language I really should be focussed on child development. Now there is another field of study and application that I have to add to my list. Interestingly, I found an ad in the Leisure Guide asking for parents who might be interested in enrolling their child as part of a language development study. I will be attending with Rea at the University of Manitoba next week.

I came across the site of Steve Wozniak of Apple fame and there was a question from an individual who was taking a computer science major and child development minor. I really couldn’t help but think what an interesting combination. I hope they are not just hedging their professional career bets.

WOZ – [Did] Steve Jobs know how to code?

TED – Deb Roy: The birth of a word

In my profession, I “communicate” in programming languages. There are a few programming languages I am very adept at and several more that I have used for various platforms. I have more than a passing interest in more advanced fields such as machine learning and neural networks. I know what I learn can be applied to one another.

Humbly, I am simply learning from Rea.