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Previous studies on crosslinguistic influence (CLI) on third language (L3) morphosyntactic acquisition have provided support for competing theories about the source(s) of CLI. The present study aimed to test if both L1 and L2 can be the source of CLI, and whether they influence L3 learning in similar or different ways. In particular, we aimed to add to our knowledge of the neural correlates of CLI by conducting an exploratory EEG study to investigate how L1 and L2 CLI affect L3 neural processing. Predictions based on the D/P model, which posited different memory systems sustaining L1 and L2, were tested. The findings confirmed both L1-sourced and L2-sourced facilitation on L3 morphosyntactic acquisition. Specifically, we suggest that L1-similarity showed a consolidating effect on L3 implicit knowledge and neurocognitive internalization, whereas L2-similarity contributed to enhanced L3 metalinguistic knowledge. This preliminary study is the first to investigate the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying CLI in L3 learning by natural language learners.

Although there is variability in nonnative grammar learning outcomes, the contributions of training paradigm design and memory subsystems are not well understood. To examine this, we presented learners with an artificial grammar that formed words via simple and complex morphophonological rules. Across three experiments, we manipulated training paradigm design and measured subjects' declarative, procedural, and working memory subsystems. Experiment 1 demonstrated that passive, exposure-based training boosted learning of both simple and complex grammatical rules, relative to no training. Additionally, procedural memory correlated with simple rule learning, whereas declarative memory correlated with complex rule learning. Experiment 2 showed that presenting corrective feedback during the test phase did not improve learning. Experiment 3 revealed that structuring the order of training so that subjects are first exposed to the simple rule and then the complex improved learning. The cumulative findings shed light on the contributions of grammatical complexity, training paradigm design, and domain-general memory subsystems in determining grammar learning success.

Differences in speech prosody are a widely observed feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, it is unclear how prosodic differences in ASD manifest across different languages that demonstrate cross-linguistic variability in prosody. Using a supervised machine-learning analytic approach, we examined acoustic features relevant to rhythmic and intonational aspects of prosody derived from narrative samples elicited in English and Cantonese, two typologically and prosodically distinct languages. Our models revealed successful classification of ASD diagnosis using rhythm-relative features within and across both languages. Classification with intonation-relevant features was significant for English but not Cantonese. Results highlight differences in rhythm as a key prosodic feature impacted in ASD, and also demonstrate important variability in other prosodic properties that appear to be modulated by language-specific differences, such as intonation.

Linguistic properties of bilingual input and their relations with acquisition outcomes are being intensively studied in current research on early bilingual development. Motivated by emerging interests in grandparental input and the unique language profile of Zhuang-Mandarin bilinguals in rural China, this article reports an exploratory study investigating bilingual input-outcome relations in two groups of age-matched kindergarteners who were primarily cared for by Zhuang-speaking grandmothers (GRA group, n = 4) and by Zhuang-Mandarin bilingual mothers (MOT group, n = 5) respectively. Through (grand)parental questionnaires, caregiver-child interaction recordings and direct assessments of the children, we collected two waves of data around the beginning and the end of Mandarin-medium kindergarten, focusing on the input and the outcomes respectively (Time 1/Time 2 design). Our findings show that at both times, the grandparents spoke considerably larger proportions of Zhuang to the children than the mothers, who had completely shifted to Mandarin by Time 2. Both groups of children were dominant in Mandarin at Time 2, demonstrating quantitatively and qualitatively similar production performance, but only the GRA children were able to produce words and narratives in Zhuang. It is argued that early sequential bilingualism actively promoting and supporting grandparental input in Zhuang in addition to school input in Mandarin is beneficial to the preservation of Zhuang as a minority language and mastery of the national majority language. Implications for language intervention and planning concerning minority languages in rural China are discussed.

Purpose: We report a preliminary study that prospectively tests the potential cognitive enhancing effect of foreign language (FL) learning in older adults with no clear signs of cognitive decline beyond what is age typical. Because language learning engages a large brain network that overlaps with the network of cognitive aging, we hypothesized that learning a new language later in life would be beneficial. Method: Older adults were randomly assigned to 3 training groups--FL, games, and music appreciation. All were trained predominately by a computer-based program for 6 months, and their cognitive abilities were tested before, immediately after, and 3 months after training. Results: FL and games, but not music appreciation, improved overall cognitive abilities that were maintained at 3 months after training. Conclusion: This is the 1st randomized control study providing preliminary support for the cognitive benefits of FL learning.

In the temperate regions, seasonal influenza virus outbreaks correlate closely with decreases in humidity. While low ambient humidity is known to enhance viral transmission, its impact on host response to influenza virus infection and disease outcome remains unclear. Here, we showed that housing Mx1 congenic mice in low relative humidity makes mice more susceptible to severe disease following respiratory challenge with influenza A virus. We find that inhalation of dry air impairs mucociliary clearance, innate antiviral defense, and tissue repair. Moreover, disease exacerbated by low relative humidity was ameliorated in caspase-1/11–deficient Mx1 mice, independent of viral burden. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that induction of IFN-stimulated genes in response to viral infection was diminished in multiple cell types in the lung of mice housed in low humidity condition. These results indicate that exposure to dry air impairs host defense against influenza infection, reduces tissue repair, and inflicts caspase-dependent disease pathology.

Background Timely diagnosis of autism is pivotal for accessing crucial supports and services. However, achieving it remains a persistent challenge, particularly in countries like China where the healthcare system is characterized by its intricate network and often resulting in fragmented care delivery and disparities in access. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among families with autistic children aged between 1 and 17 years in Chinese Mainland. Andersen’s Behavioral Model guided the assessment of predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Results The study revealed that 86.24% of Chinese children did not receive a formal diagnosis until after 24 months, with an average gap of 10.93 months between parents/caregivers’ initial concerns and diagnostic confirmation. Predisposing factors of the child’s current age emerged as a significant predictor for timely diagnosis. Enabling factors, including residence-hospital distance and experience of misdiagnosis were significant. Additionally, the severity level at diagnosis was identified as a predictor for timely diagnosis. Conclusions Our findings revealed that predisposing, enabling, and need factors contributed to the complex landscape of autism diagnosis in China. Strategies including implementing routine screening programs and adopting a multidisciplinary approach are crucial for timely identification and diagnosis, particularly for mild and moderate cases. Additionally, there is an urgent need for specialized autism training for healthcare professionals, the development of structured referral systems, and the expansion of telehealth solutions to ensure equitable access to diagnosis services across regions. By addressing these challenges, policymakers and healthcare providers can improve the accessibility and timeliness of autism diagnosis, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals and their families.

Atypical pitch processing is a feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which affects non-tone language speakers’ communication. Lifelong auditory experience has been demonstrated to modify genetically-predisposed risks for pitch processing. We examined individuals with ASD to test the hypothesis that lifelong auditory experience in tone language may eliminate impaired pitch processing in ASD. We examined children’s and adults’ Frequency-following Response (FFR), a neurophysiological component indexing early neural sensory encoding of pitch. Univariate and machine-learning-based analytics suggest less robust pitch encoding and diminished pitch distinctions in the FFR from individuals with ASD. Contrary to our hypothesis, results point to a linguistic pitch encoding impairment associated with ASD that may not be eliminated even by lifelong sensory experience.

The scientific literature sometimes considers music an abstract stimulus, devoid of explicit meaning, and at other times considers it a universal language. Here, individuals in three geographically distinct locations spanning two cultures performed a highly unconstrained task: they provided free-response descriptions of stories they imagined while listening to instrumental music. Tools from natural language processing revealed that listeners provide highly similar stories to the same musical excerpts when they share an underlying culture, but when they do not, the generated stories show limited overlap. These results paint a more complex picture of music’s power: music can generate remarkably similar stories in listeners’ minds, but the degree to which these imagined narratives are shared depends on the degree to which culture is shared across listeners. Thus, music is neither an abstract stimulus nor a universal language but has semantic affordances shaped by culture, requiring more sustained attention from psychology.

The functions of acoustic-phonetic modifications in infant-directed speech (IDS) remain a question: do they specifically serve to facilitate language learning via enhanced phonemic contrasts (the hyperarticulation hypothesis) or primarily to improve communication via prosodic exaggeration (the prosodic hypothesis)? The study of lexical tones provides a unique opportunity to shed light on this, as lexical tones are phonemically contrastive, yet their primary cue, pitch, is also a prosodic cue. This study investigated Cantonese IDS and found increased intra-talker variation of lexical tones, which more likely posed a challenge to rather than facilitated phonetic learning. Although tonal space was expanded which could facilitate phonetic learning, its expansion was a function of overall intonational modifications. Similar findings were observed in speech to pets who should not benefit from larger phonemic distinction. We conclude that lexical-tone adjustments in IDS mainly serve to broadly enhance communication rather than specifically increase phonemic contrast for learners.