Emotion and human language learning: Insights from combined Thermal IR and fNIRS brain imaging of human infants in communicative interactions with a robot and avatar artificial agents. 

Filippini, C., Merla, A., Cardone, D., Spadolini, E., Padilla, C., Gallagher, G., Sortino, R., Aaron-Lozano, K., Antonio, J., & Petitto, L.A. (Revise and Resubmit, 2020). Emotion and human language learning: Insights from combined Thermal IR and fNIRS brain imaging of human infants in communicative interactions with a robot and avatar artificial agents. Peer-reviewed journal manuscript now in “Revise and Resubmit.” 

Can a signing virtual human engage a baby’s attention?

Nasihati Gilani, S., Traum, D., Sortino, R., Gallagher, G., Aaron-Lozano, K., Padilla, C., Shapiro, A., Lamberton, J., & Petitto, L.A. (2019). Can a signing virtual human engage a baby’s attention? In peer-reviewed publication of the Association for Computing Machinery Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA). ISBN 978-1-4503-6672-4/19/07. https://doi.org/10.1145/3308532.3329463

 Can a virtual human facilitate language learning in a young baby?

Nasihati Gilani, S., Traum, D., Sortino, R., Gallagher, G., Aaron-Lozano, K., Padilla, C., Shapiro, A., Lamberton, J., & Petitto, L.A. (2019). Can a virtual human facilitate language learning in a young baby? In peer-reviewed publication of Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS), N. Agmon, M. E. Taylor, E. Elkind, M. Veloso (Eds.)

Teaching language to deaf infants with a robot and a virtual human

Scassellati, B., Brawer, J., Tsui, K., Nasihati Gilani, S., Malzkuhn, M., Manini, B., Stone, A., Kartheiser, G., Merla, A., Shapiro, A., Traum, D., & Petitto. L.A. (2018). Teaching language to deaf infant with a robot and a virtual human. In peer-reviewed Proceeding of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp.553; 1-553:13). New York, NY, USA:ACM. ISBN 123-4567-24-567/08/06. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.475/123_4

 Visual sonority modulates infants’ attraction to sign language

Stone, A., Petitto, L.A., & Bosworth, R. (2017) Visual sonority modulates infants’ attraction to sign language. Language Learning and Development, 1-19. doi:10.1080/15475441.2017.1404468.

Age of bilingual exposure changes the contribution of phonological and semantic knowledge to successful reading development

Jasinska, K.K., Petitto, L.A. (2017). Age of Bilingual Exposure Changes the Contribution of Phonological and Semantic Knowledge to Successful Reading Development. Child Development. DOI:10.1111/cdev.12745

Visual sign phonology: Insights into human reading and language from a natural soundless phonology

Petitto, L.A., Langdon, C., Cochran, C., Andriola, D. Stone, A., Kartheiser, G. (2016). Visual Sign Phonology: Insights into Human Reading from a Natural Soundless Phonology”. WIREs Cognitive Science. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1404

Bilingualism yields language-specific plasticity in left hemisphere’s circuitry for learning to read in young children

Jasinska, K.K., Berens, M., Kovelman, I., & Petitto, L.A. (2016). Bilingualism yields language-specific plasticity in left hemisphere’s circuitry for learning to read in young children. Neuropsychologia. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.11.018

 Fingerspelling as a novel gateway into reading fluency in deaf bilinguals

Stone, A., Kartheiser, G., Hauser, P.C., Petitto, L.A. & Allen, T.E., (2015). Fingerspelling as a Gateway into Reading Fluency in Deaf Bilinguals. PLoS ONE.

“One glove does not fit all” in bilingual reading acquisition: Using the age of first bilingual language exposure to understand optimal contexts for reading success

Kovelman, I., Salah-Ud-Din, M., Berens, M., Petitto, L.A. (2015). “One glove does not fit all” in bilingual reading acquisition: Using the age of first bilingual language exposure to understand optimal contexts for reading success. Cogent Education. Vol. 2, Iss. 1, 2015.

Development of Neural Systems for Reading in the Monolingual and Bilingual Brain: New Insights from functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy Neuroimaging

Jasińska, K. & Petitto, L.A. (2014). Development of Neural Systems for Reading in the Monolingual and Bilingual Brain: New Insights from functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy Neuroimaging. Developmental Neuropsychology. Vol.39, Iss. 6, 2014.doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2015.1006504

Words in Bilingual Brain: fNIRS Brain Imaging Investigation of Lexical Repetition in Sign-Speech Bimodal Bilinguals

Kovelman, I., Shalinsky, M. H., Berens, M., & Petitto, L. A. (2014). Words in the Bilingual Brain: fNIRS Brain Imaging Investigation of Lexical Repetition in Sign-Speech Bimodal Bilinguals. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 8:606. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00606.

How Age of Bilingual Exposure Can Change the Neural Systems for Language in the Developing Brain: A functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy Investigation of Syntactic Processing in Monolingual and Bilingual Children

Jasińska, K. & Petitto, L.A. (2013). How Age of Bilingual Exposure Can Change the Neural Systems for Language in the Developing Brain: A functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy Investigation of Syntactic Processing in Monolingual and Bilingual Children. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. 10.1016/j.dcn.2013.06.005.

Should bilingual children learn reading in two languages at the same time or in sequence? Evidence of a bilingual reading advantage in children in bilingual schools from monolingual English-only homes

Kovelman, I., Berens, M. & Petitto, L.A., (2013) Should Bilingual children learn reading in two languages at the same time or in sequence? Evidence of a bilingual reading advantage in children in bilingual schools from monolingual English-only homes. Bilingual Research Journal. DOI: doi: 10.1080/15235882.2013.779618.

The “Perceptual Wedge Hypothesis” as the basis for bilingual babies phonetic processing advantage: New insights from fNIRS brain imaging

Petitto, L.A., Berens, M.S., Kovelman, I., Dubins, M.H., Jasinska, K. and Shalinksy, M. (2012). The "Perceptual Wedge Hypothesis" as the basis for bilingual babies phonetic processing advantage: New insights from fNIRS brain imaging. Brain and Language, 121 (2), 142-155. doi: 10.1016/j.bandl.2011.05.003 (See note for Association for Psychological Science).

New discoveries from the bilingual brain and mind across the lifespan: Implications for education

Petitto, L.A. (2009). New Discoveries from the Bilingual Brain and Mind Across the Lifespan: Implications for Education. International Journal of Mind, Brain and Education, 3(4), 185-197.

Exploring Cognitive Functions in Babies, Children & Adults with Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Shalinsky, M.H., Kovelman, I., Berens, M.S., & Petitto, L.A. (2009). Exploring Cognitive Functions in Babies, Children & Adults with Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 29. http://www.jove.com/index/details/stp?id=1268, doi: 10.3791/1268.

Dual language use in sign-speech bimodal bilinguals: fNIRS brain-imaging evidence

Kovelman, I., Shalinsky, M.H., White, K. S., Schmitt, S.N., Berens, M.S.,  Paymer, N., & Petitto, L.A. (2009). Dual language use in sign-speech bimodal bilinguals: fNIRS brain-imaging evidence. Brain & Language, 109, 112-123.

Arts Education, the Brain, and Language

Petitto, L.A. (2008).  Arts Education, the Brain, and Language. In the Arts and Cognition Monograph: The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition. New York: Dana Press, 93-104.

Age of first bilingual language exposure as a new window into bilingual reading development

Kovelman, I., Baker, S.A., & Petitto, L.A. (2008). Age of first bilingual language exposure as a new window into bilingual reading development. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 11(2), 203-223.

Bilingual and Monolingual brains compared: An fMRI investigation of syntactic processing and a possible “neural signature” of bilingualism

Kovelman, I., Baker, S.A., & Petitto, L.A. (2008). Bilingual and Monolingual brains compared: An fMRI investigation of syntactic processing and a possible “neural signature” of bilingualism.  Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 20(1), 153-169.

Shining new light on the brain’s “Bilingual Signature:” a functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy investigation of semantic processing

Kovelman, I., Shalinsky, M.H., Berens, M.S., & Petitto, L.A. (2008). Shining new light on the brain’s “Bilingual Signature:” a functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy investigation of semantic processing. NeuroImage, 39, 1457-1471.

Cortical images of early language and phonetic development using Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Petitto, L.A. (2007). Cortical images of early language and phonetic development using Near Infrared Spectroscopy. In K. Fischer & A. Battro (Eds.), The Educated Brain. England: Cambridge University Press, 213-232.

Are there separate neural systems for spelling?

Norton, E.S., Kovelman, I., & Petitto, L. A. (2007). Are there separate neural systems for spelling? New insights into the role of rules and memory in spelling from fMRI. International Journal of Mind, Brain and Education, 1(1), 48-56.

Anatomical substrates of visual and auditory miniature second language learning using fMRI

Newman-Norlund, R.D., Frey, S.H., Petitto, L.A., Grafton, S.T. (2006). Anatomical substrates of visual and auditory miniature second language learning. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 18(12), 1984-1997.

New insights into old puzzles from infants’ categorical discrimination of soundless phonetic units

Baker, S.A., Golinkoff, R. M., & Petitto, L.A. (2006). New insights into old puzzles from infants’ categorical discrimination of soundless phonetic units. Language Learning and Development, 2(3), 147-162.

The perception of handshapes in American Sign Language

Baker, S.A., Idsardi, W.J., Golinkoff, R. M., & Petitto, L.A. (2005). The perception of handshapes in American Sign Language. Memory & Cognition, 33(5), 887-904.

How the brain begets language

Petitto, L.A. (2005). How the brain begets language. Chapter 4 in J. McGilvray (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Chomsky. England: Cambridge University Press, 84-101.

Baby hands that move to the rhythm of language: Hearing babies acquiring sign languages babble silently on the hands

Petitto, L.A., Holowka, S., Sergio, L., Levy, B., & Ostry, D. (2004). Baby hands that move to the rhythm of language: Hearing babies acquiring sign languages babble silently on the hands. Cognition, 9, 43-73.

The Bilingual Paradox: How signing-speaking bilingual children help us to resolve bilingual issues and teach us about the brain’s mechanisms underlying all language acquisition

Petitto, L.A., & Kovelman, I. (2003). The Bilingual Paradox: How signing-speaking bilingual children help us to resolve bilingual issues and teach us about the brain’s mechanisms underlying all language acquisition. Learning Languages, 8(3), 5-18. Translation into French (2004). Le paradoxe du bilinguisme, Double langue maternelle. In Revue Imaginaire et Inconscient, 14.

The morphometry of auditory cortex in the congenitally deaf measured using MRI

Penhune, V., Cismaru,  R., Dorsaint-Pierre, R., Petitto, L.A., & Zatorre, R. (2003). The morphometry of auditory cortex in the congenitally deaf measured using MRI. NeuroImage, 20, 1215-1225.

Left hemisphere cerebral specialization for babies while babbling

Holowka, S., & Petitto, L.A. (2002). Left hemisphere cerebral specialization for babies while babbling. Science, 297, 1515.

Evaluating attributions of delay and confusion in young bilinguals: Special insights from infants acquiring a signed and a spoken language

Petitto, L.A., & Holowka, S. (2002). Evaluating attributions of delay and confusion in young bilinguals: Special insights from infants acquiring a signed and a spoken language. Sign Language Studies, 3(1), 4-33.

Semantic and conceptual knowledge underlying bilingual babies’ first signs and words

Holowka, S., Brosseau-Lapré, F., & Petitto, L.A. (2002). Semantic and conceptual knowledge underlying bilingual babies’ first signs and words. Language Learning, 52(2), 205-262.

Language rhythms in baby hand movements

Petitto, L.A., Holowka, S., Sergio, L., & Ostry, D. (2001). Language rhythms in baby hand movements. Nature, 413, 35-36.

Bilingual signed and spoken language acquisition from birth: Implications for mechanisms underlying early bilingual language acquisition

Petitto, L.A., Katerelos, M., Levy, B., Gauna, K., Tétrault, K., & Ferraro, V. (2001). Bilingual signed and spoken language acquisition from birth: Implications for mechanisms underlying early bilingual language acquisition. Journal of Child Language, 28(2), 453-496.

Speech-like cerebral activity in profoundly deaf people processing signed languages: Implications for the neural basis of human language

Petitto, L.A., Zatorre, R., Gauna, K., Nikelski, E.J., Dostie, D., & Evans, A. (2000). Speech-like cerebral activity in profoundly deaf people processing signed languages: Implications for the neural basis of human language. (PET brain imaging study.) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 97(25), 13961-13966.

On the biological foundations of human language

Petitto, L.A. (2000). On the biological foundations of human language. In H. Lane & K. Emmorey (Eds.), The signs of language revisited: An anthology in honor of Ursula Bellugi and Edward Klima (pp. 447-471). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

The acquisition of natural signed languages

Petitto, L.A. (1999). The acquisition of natural signed languages. In C. Chamberlain, J. Morford, & R. Mayberry (Eds.), Language acquisition by eye (pp. 41-50). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

On the biological, environmental and neurogenetic factors determining early language acquisition: Evidence from signed and spoken languages

Petitto, L.A. (1998). On the biological, environmental and neurogenetic factors determining early language acquisition: Evidence from signed and spoken languages. ACFOS Neurosciences et Surdité du premier age. Bulletin D’Audiophonologie, XIV(1), 337-348 (France).

The existence of natural signed languages: Lessons in the nature of human language and its biological foundations

Petitto, L.A. (1997). The existence of natural signed languages: Lessons in the nature of human language and its biological foundations. (Esistono linguaggi naturali dei segni?) KOS Rivista di medicina, cultura e scienze umane (similar to Scientific American), 146, 22-29.

In the beginning: On the genetic and environmental factors that make early language acquisition possible

Petitto, L.A. (1997). In the beginning: On the genetic and environmental factors that make early language acquisition possible. In M. Gopnik (Ed.), The inheritance and innateness of grammars (pp. 45-69). England: Oxford University Press.

On the equipotentiality of signed and spoken language in early language ontogeny

Petitto, L.A. (1994). On the equipotentiality of signed and spoken language in early language ontogeny. In B. Snider (Ed.), Post-Milan ASL and English Literacy: Issues, Trends, & Research (pp. 195-223). Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Modularity and Constraints in Early Lexical Acquisition: Evidence from children’s early language and gesture

Petitto, L.A. (1994). Modularity and Constraints in Early Lexical Acquisition: Evidence from children’s early language and gesture. In P. Bloom (Ed.), Language acquisition: Core readings. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Are signed languages “real” languages?

Petitto, L.A. (1994). Are signed languages “real” languages? Evidence from American Sign Language and Langue des Signes Québecoise. Signpost (International Quarterly of the Sign Linguistics Association), 7(3), 1-10. NOTE: This article has had an important impact. After appearing in the above, it was translated into French & Spanish by the “World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)”- an international organization in official liaison with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, UNESCO, ILO and WHO. The translations were published in 1996 by the WFD and distributed as a monograph to heads of state and government officials throughout the world. French Monograph, (1996). “Les langues des signes sont-elles de “vraies” langues? Une réponse probante issue de l’étude de l’American Sign Language et de la Langue des Signes Québécoise.” Spanish Monograph, (1996). “Son Las Lenguas De Señas Lenguas “Verdaderas”? Testimonios de la Lengua des Señas Americanas Y de la Lengua de Señas de Quebec.” In addition, this work has been translated into Japanese by Mr. Soya Mori and edited by Dr. Eiichi Takada and published in the leading Japanese sign language journal. Japanese Journal, (1996). Sign Language Communication Studies, Vol. 21. This work has also been published in India. Indian book chapter, (1996). In D. Deshmukh (Ed.), Sign language and bilingualism in deaf education (pp. 131-146). Maharashtra, India.

On the ontogenetic requirements for early language acquisition

Petitto, L.A. (1993). On the ontogenetic requirements for early language acquisition. In B. de Boysson-Bardies, S. de Schonen, P. Jusczyk, P. MacNeilage, & J. Morton (Eds.), Developmental neurocognition: Speech and face processing in the first year of life (pp. 365-383). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kuwer.

Modularity and constraints in early lexical acquisition: Evidence from children’s first words/signs and gestures

Petitto, L.A. (1992). Modularity and constraints in early lexical acquisition: Evidence from children’s first words/signs and gestures. In M.R. Gunnar & M. Maratsos (Eds.), Modularity and constraints in language and cognition: The Minnesota symposia on child psychology, Vol. 25. (pp. 25-58). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Babbling in the manual mode: Evidence for the ontogeny of language

Petitto, L.A., & Marentette, P. (1991). Babbling in the manual mode: Evidence for the ontogeny of language. Science, 251, 1483-1496. NOTE: This work was also translated into German by Von Adelheid Stahnke and published in the German Scientific American, July 1991, 19-20 (“Komplexe frühe sprachentwicklung bei gehörlosen kindern”), and has been reprinted in many child development and language acquisition books.

Les premiers signes acquis par des enfants sourds en langue des signes québécoise (LSQ): Comparaison avec les premiers mots.

Charron, F., & Petitto, L.A. (1991). Les premiers signes acquis par des enfants sourds en langue des signes québécoise (LSQ): Comparaison avec les premiers mots. Revue Québécoise de Linguistique Théorique et Appliquée, 10(1), 71-122.

The transition from gesture to symbol in American Sign Language

Petitto, L. A. (1989). The transition from gesture to symbol in American Sign Language. In V. Volterra & C. Erting (Eds.), From gesture to language in hearing and deaf children (pp. 153-161). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag.

Knowledge of language in signed and spoken language acquisition

Petitto, L.A. (1989). The transition from gesture to symbol in language acquisition. In V. Volterra & C. Erting (Eds.), From gesture to language in hearing and deaf children (pp. 153-161). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag.

“Language” in the pre-linguistic child

Petitto, L.A. (1989). Knowledge of language in signed and spoken language acquisition. In B. Woll and J. Kyle (Eds.), Language development and sign language. England: University of Bristol.

Spatial cognition and brain organization: Clues from the acquisition of a language in space

Petitto, L. A. & Bellugi, U. (1988). Spatial cognition and brain organization: Clues from the acquisition of a language in space. In J. Stiles-Davies, U. Bellugi, & M. Kritchevsky (Eds.), Spatial cognition: Brain bases and development (pp. 299-341). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

On the autonomy of language and gesture: Evidence from the acquisition of personal pronouns in American Sign Language

Petitto, L.A. (1987). On the autonomy of language and gesture: Evidence from the acquisition of personal pronouns in American Sign Language. Cognition, 27(1), 1-52.

Communication, symbolic communication, and language in child and chimpanzee: Comment on Savage-Rumbaugh, McDonald, Sevcik, Hopkins, and Rupert (1986)

Seidenberg, M. S., & Petitto, L. A. (1987). Communication, symbolic communication, and language in child and chimpanzee: Comment on Savage-Rumbaugh, McDonald, Sevcik, Hopkins, and Rupert (1986). Journal of Experimental Psychology, General, 116(3), 279-287.

Language structure and language organization in the brain: Evidence from the study of human sign languages

Petitto, L.A. (1985). Language structure and language organization in the brain: Evidence from the study of human sign languages, Recherches Sémiotiques/Semiotic Inquiry, 5, 393-40l.

Pronoun acquisition in another mode

Petitto, L.A. (1985). Pronoun acquisition in another mode. In V. Volterra & W. Stokoe (Eds.), Proceedings of the III International Symposium on Sign Language Research (pp. 55-63). Silver Spring, MD: Linstock Press.

Discourse structure in American Sign Language conversations

Willbur, R.B., & Petitto, L.A. (1983). Discourse structure in American Sign Language conversations. Discourse Processes, 6(3), 225-241.

From gesture to symbol: The relationship between form and meaning in the acquisition of personal pronouns in American Sign Language

Petitto, L.A. (1983). From gesture to symbol: The relationship between form and meaning in the acquisition of personal pronouns in American Sign Language. Papers and Reports on Child Development, 22, 100-107.

How to know a conversation when you see one

Wilbur, R.B., & Petitto, L.A. (1981). How to know a conversation when you see one. Journal of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, 9, 66-81.

Ape signing: Problems of method and interpretations

Seidenberg, M.S., & Petitto, L.A. (1981). Ape signing: Problems of method and interpretations. Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 364, 115-130.

On the grammatical capacity of apes

Terrace, H.S., Petitto, L.A., Sanders, R. J., & Bever, T. G. (1980). On the grammatical capacity of apes. In K. Nelson (Ed.), Children’s Language Volume 2 (pp. 371-495). New York: Gardner Press.

Can an ape create a sentence?

Terrace, H.S., Petitto, L.A., Sanders, R.J., & Bever, T.G. (1979). Can an ape create a sentence? Science, 206, 891-902.

On the evidence for linguistic abilities in signing apes

Petitto, L.A., & Seidenberg, M.S. (1979). On the evidence for linguistic abilities in signing apes. Brain and Language, 8, 72-88.

Signing behavior in apes: A critical review

Seidenberg, M.S., & Petitto, L.A. (1979). Signing behavior in apes: A critical review. Cognition, 7, 177-215.

Simultaneous communication in the classroom: How well is English grammar represented?

Marmor, G.S., & Petitto, L.A. (1979). Simultaneous communication in the classroom: How well is English grammar represented? Sign Language Studies, 3, 99-136.

What do signing chimpanzees have to say to linguists?

Seidenberg, M.S., & Petitto, L.A. (1978). What do signing chimpanzees have to say to linguists? In D. Farkas, W. Jacobsen, & K. Todrys (Eds.), Papers from the 14th Regional Meeting, Chicago Linguistic Society.