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Study Reveals Babies Process Language Before Birth

10/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Montreal-based study finds babies process language before birth, shown by brain imaging.
60 pregnant participants were involved; some fetuses heard stories in French, Hebrew, or German.
Results show increased left temporal lobe activity for babies exposed to Hebrew or German prenatally.
Newborns with no exposure showed less language-region activation; the fetal environment may influence development, but duration effects remain unclear.

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Story summary

Montreal-based study finds babies process language before birth, shown by brain imaging.
60 pregnant participants were involved; some fetuses heard stories in French, Hebrew, or German.
Results show increased left temporal lobe activity for babies exposed to Hebrew or German prenatally.
Newborns with no exposure showed less language-region activation; the fetal environment may influence development, but duration effects remain unclear.