Can Babies Develop a Unique Language if Isolated from Adults?
Decades of research and anecdotal evidence suggest that babies can indeed develop unique forms of communication if isolated from adults and deprived of the typical cues and interactions that guide their language development. The question of whether these isolated infants would develop a language of their own, however, is complex and depends on several factors, including the nature of the isolation and the presence of other children.
What Isolation Means for Language Development
If babies are isolated and deprived of adult interaction and nurturing, the potential outcomes are dire. Without the necessary stimuli and guidance, babies cannot develop vital language and cognitive skills. Infants deprived of these essential interactions may not survive due to physical or emotional neglect. Therefore, for the sake of this discussion, we will focus on scenarios where the babies are cared for but not provided typical language exposure.
Developing Sounds and Gestures
Without adult interaction, the babies could develop a rudimentary system of sounds, gestures, and facial expressions that they can understand and use to communicate with each other. This communication system might be similar to that found in some animals, where individuals develop their own signals and means of conveying information. However, such a system would be far from the complex and structured languages that humans use.
Examples from Nature and Human History
There are documented cases where twin infants have developed a unique form of communication, known as cryptophasia. In some instances, non-twin infants have also demonstrated similar patterns of behavior, suggesting that the development of such a system is possible under certain circumstances.
A more extreme example comes from the case of deaf children in Nicaragua, who, when brought together at a school for the deaf, developed their own sign language. This phenomenon, known as Lingua Francaca, provides a compelling illustration of how children can create a functional communication system when deprived of typical language exposure. The emergence of Lingua Francaca highlights the remarkable capacity of children to create and develop their own language structures when faced with such challenges.
The Role of Caretakers
When considering the role of caretakers who do not speak to the babies, the impact on language development becomes clear. Babies are highly attuned to the behaviors and cues of their adult caretakers, who serve as the primary model for language. Without verbal interaction, babies will suffer from what is known as language deprivation. This deprivation can have lasting effects on the development of the language centers of the brain, particularly before the age of five.
Even if the babies are able to find a crude way to communicate with each other via hand signals and noises, they would not develop a cohesive and complex language like those used by humans. The language centers of the brain can atrophy and no longer fully develop if deprived of necessary stimulation during the critical period of language acquisition.
Conclusion
In summary, while isolated babies can develop rudimentary methods of communication, these systems would be far from organized and structured, and would lack the complexity and richness of a full language. The emergence of Lingua Francaca in a group of deaf children demonstrates the remarkable potential of children to develop a language under certain conditions, but also underscores the critical importance of early and regular interaction with caregivers in developing a fully functional language.