Languages in the Big Apple

A recent study found that the ‘language’ (or system of nonsensical noises) mothers use to communicate with their babies is pretty much universal. According to the “>LA Times:

“Researchers from UCLA recorded eight American, native English-speaking mothers speaking in various intonations to both adults and children, then played the recordings to 26 male and female members of a nonindustrialized culture in South America called the Shuar. The mothers were asked to react verbally to photographs of babies and adults engaged in various activities comprising four categories: prohibitive, approval, comfort and attention.”

The Shuar mamas scored highly. In fact, they were able to surmise with 73% accuracy whether the American women were speaking to adults or to babies by listening to the pitch, loudness, and rate of speech.

This makes sense — it’s probably just as instinctual to use a high-pitched coo for a baby as it is for a newborn puppy. But Greg Bryant, the professor at UCLA who led the study, was also concerned with why these noises appeal to wee babes:

“Babies have immature perceptual systems, and they need extra enhanced input. So you’re spoon feeding them, essentially, which helps them understand… With exaggerated sound effects, you get enhanced perception. When people talk to adults, they rely more on words.”

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