Is anyone aware of research concerning ambient audio and language learning?

[jess tauber]

I'm wondering whether there is a typological link. I've read that child-directed speech tends to focus on verbs, whereas parents tend to focus on nouns. This may be a variable as well typologically, given that some languages are verb-heavy, some noun-heavy. Perhaps younger folks tend to direct their OWN attention then to high-agentivity/animacy-associated activities (successful actions of the powerful- egocentric POV), not particularly caring where the info comes from, and may actively query someone about what they are seeing? Parent-directed speech would focus on participants, their properties, abilities, weaknesses, ranks, privileges, responsibilities, etc. more about LIMITATIONS (perhaps not a favorite topic for the young)- a SOCIAL theme, encouraging other-centered POV's, ) Opposition between the sensory and motor systems?

I'd also be curious to know what TYPES of action most typically attract attention- ones needing high levels of training and control of preparations, subactions and outcomes might be a total bore to young folks preferring simplex actions (the ones often grammaticalized in aux. verb systems, or in ideophones). What about nouns? Do heroes, leaders, powerful or capable animals, etc. require less prodding from parents than their opposites?

I'm sure this is all a lot more intricately layered and pragmatically motivated- but are there any universals that one can start with?? Have all different linguistic types had adequate acquisitional studies done on them?

Jess Tauber
phonosemantics at earthlink.net