Ghanaian Babies Exposed to Multiple Languages From Infancy, Study Finds

A study by University of Potsdam researchers reveals that infants in Accra, Ghana, are exposed to two to six languages from birth. The research, published in "Cognitive Development," examined 121 babies aged three to twelve months. It found that the number of caregivers ranged from two to six, correlating with the number of languages heard. Families in Ghana often live in "compound buildings," where interactions occur in shared courtyards. This contrasts with Western assumptions of single-caregiver language acquisition. Lead researcher Prof. Dr. Natalie Boll-Avetisyan notes that previous studies predominantly focused on Western industrialized nations, overlooking diverse multilingual environments. The study distinguishes between direct and indirect language input. Local languages like Akan, Ga, and Ewe are primarily learned through direct interaction with caregivers. English is mainly acquired indirectly through media. Researchers emphasize the importance of both direct and indirect language input in shaping children's linguistic development. They advocate for a broader perspective in language research, recognizing that multilingualism is a core aspect of children's identity and social structure in such contexts.