New research conducted by Paris Descartes University in France and the University of Padova in Italy has shed light on the remarkable ability of unborn babies to start learning language before they are even born. The study, which monitored 33 newborn babies with native French-speaking mothers, found evidence of heightened brain activity in response to the language they were exposed to in utero.

According to the findings, newborns displayed enhanced neural oscillations related to language processing abilities after listening to their native language, French, as opposed to other unfamiliar languages like Spanish and English. This suggests that babies are already familiar with the primary language spoken while they are in the womb, which stems from their mothers' verbal interactions with others. The researchers believe that the prenatal period lays the foundation for further language development.

Previous research had already established that fetuses can begin to hear sounds outside of the womb between five and seven months of gestation. Additionally, a 2015 study revealed that unborn babies could react to music played outside the womb as early as 16 weeks. Other studies have shown that infants prefer their mother's voice and demonstrate a preference for the language their mother spoke during pregnancy over other languages.

While the exact neural mechanisms underlying language learning in the womb are still not fully understood, this study provides compelling evidence that language experience shapes the functional organization of the infant brain even before birth. The researchers suggest that expectant mothers should not hesitate to talk frequently, not only to stimulate their unborn babies but also to help lay the groundwork for language development.

Lead study author, Professor Judit Gervain, emphasizes that mothers naturally produce enough speech for their babies to learn from while in the womb through their everyday conversations with neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family members. Professor Gervain also encourages direct communication with the baby bump, especially during the third trimester when hearing abilities are at their peak.

However, while prenatal language experience supports language development, it does not solely determine developmental outcomes. The researchers clarify that infants who do not have extensive exposure to language in the womb may not necessarily experience setbacks in their language development during childhood.

This groundbreaking study highlights the incredible capabilities of unborn babies to absorb and process language, underlining the importance of stimulating linguistic experiences during pregnancy. The findings could potentially contribute to further advancements in understanding early brain development and optimizing language learning techniques for infants. The study has been published in the journal Science Advances.