The genetics of language acquisition

Hayley S. Mountford*, Dianne F. Newbury

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

This chapter focuses on the understanding of the role of genetics in language and explores how genetics contribute to language, and shows how new genetic techniques can offer inroads into the molecular basis of language acquisition. It discusses some of the key findings of gene x environment studies and provides a snapshot of the understanding in the field, considering some of the limitations of the type of study design. The chapter describes the field of play in the genetics of language acquisition and explains the heritability of language and the role of family and twin studies in the understanding of language. It also explores the inheritance mechanisms that are implicated in language development. The chapter considers how modern DNA sequencing approaches are revolutionizing the field of language genetics. Heritability studies have provided many key insights into the genetics of both language acquisition and language disorders. Insights into mechanisms can also come from the opposite end of the language ability spectrum.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Handbook of Language Acquisition
EditorsJessica S. Horst, Janne von Koss Torkildsen
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter3
Pages33-50
Number of pages18
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9781315110622
ISBN (Print)9781138087217
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2019

Publication series

NameRoutledge International Handbooks

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