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Independent cross-cultural data reveal linguistic effects on basic numerical cognition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 March 2014

Caleb Everett*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Miami, USA. E-mail: caleb@miami.edu

Abstract

The role of numeric language in basic numerical cognition is explored via the consideration of results obtained in two recent independent studies, one with Nicaraguan homesigners and one with speakers of Pirahã. Attention is drawn to remarkable parallels between the relevant findings, parallels that provide compelling evidence that adults without access to numeric language face difficulties when simply attempting to differentiate quantities greater than three.

Type
Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © UK Cognitive Linguistics Association 2013

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