Statistical language learning in human infants, 20 years later

Saffran, J. .

Saffran, Aslin, & Newport (1996)?s initial study of infant statistical language learning has been highly influential across cognitive and developmental science. In my talk, I will argue that for this paper, like all good developmental phenomena, timing was everything; our initial studies appeared at a time when the field was ripe for rethinking the role of learning in complex behaviors, including language acquisition. 4,000 or so citations later, how helpful has this work actually been for the development of new theoretical approaches? In my talk, I will outline questions answered and new questions raised, with the goal of stimulating continued progress in the study of learning more generally.