The Ins and Outs of Baby Talk

Abstract

It is usually no secret when there is a baby in the room. Infants attract our attention, and we immediately and instinctively change our speech when we engage with them. “Baby talk” fills the air. This distinct speech register, also known as motherese or more formally as infant-directed speech (IDS), has been observed across diverse languages and cultures. Babies demonstrate a clear preference for IDS. The strong endorsement of IDS by infants continues to fuel the curiosity of scientists, clinicians, and caregivers about this common speech form and how it shapes infant development.