Main content

First Words: How do children develop language?

Michael Rosen finds out about the first sounds, words and phrases that babies recognise and learn to say. He talks to author Tom Chatfield and his 15-month-old son, and to linguists Laura Wright and Kriszta Szendroi.
Producer: Beth O'Dea.

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Tue 16 Dec 2014 16:00
  • Christmas Day 2014 06:00

From blunk to brickfielder: our wonderful words for weather

From blunk to brickfielder: our wonderful words for weather

Exploring creative descriptions for wind, rainfall and sunny spells from around the world

Digital body language – how to communicate better online

Digital body language – how to communicate better online

We need to find new ways of talking to each other “virtually”.

Coinages that changed the world – and some that tried to...

Coinages that changed the world – and some that tried to...

Exploring the hidden histories of obscure words, and common buzz phrases.

Ittibitium, borborygmus, and Ba humbugi – 14 wonderful science words you’ve never heard of

Ittibitium, borborygmus, and Ba humbugi – 14 wonderful science words you’ve never heard of

Michael Rosen puts the language of science under the microscope.

Download this programme

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Keywords for Our Time

Keywords for Our Time

Series of programmes examining key phrases in public debate.

Smiley face: Seven things you didn't know about emoji

Smiley face: Seven things you didn't know about emoji

Some facts about emoji - possibly the world's first truly global form of communication.

The funny words that kids invent

The funny words that kids invent

Have a look at some of the fantastic words that children invent and reimagine.

Podcast