In this article, we hypothesize that "invariance detection," a general perceptual phenomenon whereby organisms attend to relatively stable patterns or regularities, is an important means by which infants tune in to various aspects of spoken language. In so doing, we synthesize a substantial body of research on detection of regularities across the…

A mechanism of perceptual analysis by which infants derive meaning from perceptual activity is described. Infants use this mechanism to redescribe perceptual information into image and schematic format. Image schemas enable preverbal thought and provide a foundation for language acquisition. (SLD)

Presents evidence to support theory that infants learn their language by first determining, independent of language, the meaning which a speaker intends to convey... and by then working out the relationship between the meaning and the expression they heard. (Author)