Listen&Learn: Twin language

Learn about the invented languages of children.

Pre-listening vocabulary

• twins: two children born to the same parents at the same time
• invent: to create something new
• gesture: a physical action that communicates an idea
• development: the physical and mental growth of a child
• imitate: to copy someone’s behaviour
• mature: to grow older

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

In early , many siblings, especially twins, create shared that no one else can understand. A language known by only one or two people is called an idioglossia. These languages can have invented words, gestures, and sounds that communicate ideas. Children often create idioglossias early in their development, as they begin to understand how languages work. It is in twins because they experience these stages of development at the same time, and they learn by imitating each other. Most of the time, invented languages go away as children mature. It is for a pair of twins to keep their shared language through adulthood.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. Shared languages are common between
   a. mothers and their children
   b. twins
   c. childhood friends
   
2. A language that only one or two people know is called an
   a. idiosyncrasy
   b. idioglossia
   c. idiotype
   
3. Most of the time, invented languages
   a. go away when children mature
   b. blend with a child’s first language
   c. can be understood by a child’s parents

Discussion/essay questions

1. Some people believe that even adult twins can communicate with each other in a way that others can’t understand. Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
2. Different from an idioglossia, an idiolect is a single person’s unique use of language. Everyone has an idiolect, even if they speak a common language. What are some ways that two speakers of the same language might use it differently?

Transcript

In early childhood, many siblings, especially twins, create shared languages that no one else can understand. A language known by only one or two people is called an idioglossia. These languages can have invented words, gestures, and sounds that communicate basic ideas. Children often create idioglossias early in their development, as they begin to understand how languages work. It is common in twins because they experience these stages of development at the same time, and they learn by imitating each other. Most of the time, invented languages go away as children mature. It is rare for a pair of twins to keep their shared language through adulthood.

Answers to comprehension questions

1b 2b 3a