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Glite Dictionary
motherese

motherese

1 9.0
Speech adults use when talking to babies and young children with simple words and a slow, high voice
  • noun
  • /ˈmʌðəriz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lenguaje infantil
  • The use of motherese helps young children learn language better by making communication more engaging.
  • motherese speech

Examples

  • When talking to her baby, she used a cheerful and exaggerated tone, showing typical motherese.

  • Of particular interest to this study was a comparison between spontaneous movements to music and motherese speech.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Following the original study, these two scores were collapsed and averaged into a music composite score, which was compared with scores for rhythmic pattern and motherese speech.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Stronger attachment would mean that the mother focused her gaze mostly on the child, exhibited a positive energy towards the child, maintained constant affectionate and stimulating touch with the child, used a "motherese" speech with the child, and these species-typical maternal behaviors were adapted to the infant's alert state.

    Blog text (17)

  • Parents often switch to motherese, using simple words and higher pitch when speaking with toddlers.

Synonyms

baby talk
vsmotherese
3 5.8

A soft, simple way adults speak to infants to show affection

is used to communicate stressing slow clear pronunciation for comprehension
babytalk
vsmotherese
  • Baby Talk
6.3

A way adults speak to young children using simple words and a higher voice

is slower and clearer with exaggerated intonation to help understanding

How Simplified

babytalk
  • Baby Talk
6.3
motherese
  • Specialized
1 9.0

Surface Forms

motherese singular
mothereses plural

Morphology

motherese = mother (semi-transparent) = mother + ese

Formed by adding '-ese' to 'mother' to signal a type or manner of language, but '-ese' usually marks languages/demonyms so the register-specific meaning for child-directed speech is somewhat specialized.

Etymology

The word motherese comes from mother and the ending -ese, which means 'language' like in Japanese, so it literally suggests a 'mother's language'. That's why motherese means the special, simple way adults talk to babies, with slow, clear words and a sing-song voice that help children learn to speak.