What is the phonological loop for? It seems obvious that the phonological loop has a relation to language. However - what is the exact relationship? In studies with a unique patient who had a severe phonological loop deficit Baddeley found that the phonological loop is especially important in language acquisition of new material (e.g., another language), while the ability to learn new relations between well-known words seems to be intact. Similarly, children with reduced phonological loop capacity have problems learning new words and pseudowords. All the evidence points to an important role of the phonological loop in learning new words or languages.
