Author Question: What is baby talk? Explain the characteristics and functions of baby talk. What will be an ideal ... (Read 198 times)

vicky · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

What is baby talk? Explain the characteristics and functions of baby talk.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What factors influence how concerned parents should be if their 15-month-old still has not emitted her first word? Why?

What will be an ideal response?

todom5090 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Baby talk is also known as motherese or child-directed speech. The characteristics are
high-pitched communication with any low-to-high fluctuations, simpler words, and
shorter sentences. This type of speech is used universally when talking to infants.
Infants are more likely to respond to these fluctuations and high-pitched sounds than
they are to monotonous, steady sounds. Since they respond more to these sounds,
their language acquisition is likely to develop more quickly.

Answer to Question 2

The answer depends on (1) whether the child can understand what others are saying,
(2) what culture the child is raised in, (3) whether the child is able to make her needs
known in other ways, and (4) whether the child's hearing and ears have been tested.Children who are most adept at expressing emotions nonverbally tend to be slower to
talk.