Lindsay Hippe
Mary Gates Research Scholar
Winter 2021
Major: Linguistics
Mentor: Naja Ferjan Ramirez, Linguistics
Project
Sibs and Bibs – Older siblings and infant vocabulary development
This research project analyzes a previously recorded longitudinal dataset of linguistic input heard by infants throughout their days at various ages. The goal of my analysis is to determine the effects of older sibling presence and input on their infant siblings’ language acquisition and vocabulary development.
What I learned
Regarding my project in particular, I have found that the presence of older siblings greatly alters the linguistic input that infants receive from their parents. Additionally, the conversational interactions that these infants have with their parents are significantly dissimilar to those experienced by infants without older siblings. In terms of more widely applicable skills, I have learned how to effectively analyze a great deal of data and present it clearly to both general audiences and audiences well versed in my field.
Advice for future applicants
My greatest piece of advice for Mary Gates Research applicants is to consider how your research applies to and will help you achiever your career and life goals. I was told that many applicants drop the ball regarding this portion, and I believe my focus on the effect that my project would have on my future helped my application to stand out.
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