AIBU to hate baby language

[PorridgeLove]

DS is 2 years old . We have just talked to him in a normal way and his language has developed very well. At nursery, they talk to the kids in a normal way, too. It drives me bonkers when someone talks to him in a baby voice or uses baby language. He does not enjoy it either because, frankly, I think he does not understand what they are trying to get at.

AIBU to be annoyed when family and friends try baby language on him?

Yep I can’t stand it

@Bythebeach child directed speech is the accepted term (in the linguistic world at least)

No it pisses me off. If my kids tell MIL that they have seen something she will say 'yes, did you seed it? Did you? Ooh you seed it'
And there's more annoying things like that. I'm getting annoyed thinking about it

What's wrong with ta! I taught my dd to say ta when she was smaller because she couldn't say thank you at the time, now she's bigger she says thank you instead. Is it really that bad?

What's wrong with ta!

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Ta, those objecting are just being colossal snobs.

That BBC show that was on a couple months ago called this "parentese" and functional brain scans showed that babies responded better to that high pitched songsongy style of speech (responded or preferred or something - the scan was lighting up). Dunno about whether it makes a difference at 2 years old but I was amazed how, as a species, something that (most) parents/adults do so naturally actually makes a demonstrable difference in a babies brain.

But you can use a high pitched, sing-song style, and still use correct language

You don't have to call them moo-moos or puff-puffs. Cows and trains fit just as well into songs.

It's different when the child uses their own words for things because they can't pronounce the actual word. It doesn't mean the adult has to adopt the same word - use the proper word so that the child can learn!

Yes, YABVVVU.
All the people using baby talk are not idiots - it is an evolutionary strategy that bootstraps language acquisition. Things like saying choo-choo, exaggerating speech patterns, all help children build the basic building blocks of language faster and help them (later on) learn a wider variety of words more quickly.
Here is a scientific paper on why saying choo-choo is better than saying train and here is a Telegraph article summarising the same study.

Here is a scientific paper on why saying choo-choo is better than saying train

And it’s not a long term issue is it? I don’t see many 16 year olds calling it a Choo-Choo.

Indeed LaurieMarlow and for those sneering on this thread you also don't see many adults talking to 10 or 15 year olds in baby talk either. It serves a purpose at a point in time, and that's why millions of people do it.

And a few years later then can learn it can also be called a ‘steam locomotive’ or a ‘tram’ or a ‘thing that’s always fucking late’. Amazing thing about language is that you can keep learning it, even after the baby years!

Exactly

Synonyms will fill-out a child's vocabulary.

Handies for hands was a huge bugbear of mine when my eldest was little.

Don't mind sing song voices and repetition (some of the time). I love child created "wrong" words but I'm not fond of nap-nap, bot-bot type cutesy terms. I quietly seethed when my DS came home from preschool using silly names for fingers - Peter Pointer etc. He already knew the proper names and I didn't find it cute, calling the toe next to his big toe his index toe on the other hand was adorable.

i quietly seethed when my DS came home from preschool using silly names for fingers - Peter Pointer etc.

I’m not entirely sure why.

Using figurative, descriptive, creative language is a huge skill for later life. Why wouldn’t you want it encouraged at nursery level?

As others have said, it does help with speech development to a point. The annoying high pitched sound is easier for babies to decipher, and thing like doggy, horsey etc actually make it clearer to them where the end of the word is and where the next word begins (or something like that, I learnt it a long time ago).
As far as annoying words, does nobody else just catch on to the words their kids use? Never knew I was winding so many people up referring to things as what my toddler calls them in my own house!
As far as 'ta' goes, is this not a more toddler friendly way to teach them to have manners? My ds can manage that and uses it well, but can't say thank you. People know what he means saying ta, but not if he makes some mumbled nonsense sound in an attempt to say thank you. My 3 year old never says ta so it seems they work out the proper word and use that when they are able. Who knew??

Omg I am so far from being a snob but I don't say Ta and hate hearing it esp from babies. I'm Scottish and it sounds so ..... I don't know the word! It just doesn't sound nice. I'd say thanks. My DD was taught thank you which came out tank ohh

I was so proud when my 1 year old started saying ta.. and intbe right context!! Then MIL told DH that 'thank you' was more appropriate.

Not for a 1 year old you total fool!!!

Anyway I'm still trying to sort out the child she raised so she can do one if she thinks she can tell me how to raise mine.

I'm Scottish and it sounds so ..... I don't know the word! It just doesn't sound nice

If you can’t articulate your problem, then what’s the issue? It’s a short, easy word for a young child to use that builds the foundations for good manners very early on.

If you can’t articulate your problem, then what’s the issue? It’s a short, easy word for a young child to use that builds the foundations for good manners very early on.*

Exactly.

And I don't think hundreds of generations across all languages were wrong!

Amazingly in the last few months DD has moved from saying Ta to TankOoo. Still accompanied by the cute baby sign blowing kiss thing. Anyone would think her speech was getting better as she grows and develops and practices talking.

Unfortunately she's also given DS a nickname, unassociated with his given name, which she finds easier to say and which he now answers to quite happily. Maybe I should disown her for giving my PFB a non-pre-approved nickname? Or maybe in the next few months she'll learn to say his given name too though he's probably stuck with a family nn for a good few years now

Did anyone ever read the Anne of Green Gables series? They discuss this very thing,.
Anne and Gilbert decided after reading an eminent doctors advice on the dangers of baby talk that they would never use it. They would ensure their child developed a love of the English language in its purest form.
Until Anne clapped eyes on her son and said baby talk then and there and couldn't stop!
I agree with her! A baby is so sweet and cuddly they need baby talk, it is so natural.
And dey luv dare muzzers when dey use it, dey do, dose ickle bitty balls of squish!
So there.
I'm surprised mine knew any normal words at all when they were small...

Not up for a debate TBH was just contributing my own feelings. I don't like the way it sounds. Pet peev, personal choice whatever....

Until Anne clapped eyes on her son and said baby talk then and there and couldn't stop!

That passage did cross my mind when I read this thread. I adore AOGG.

You’re right. It’s an instinctive, intuitive reaction to a tiny baby. Thankfully we’re beginning to value our instincts more strongly after years of being fed a purely rational, ‘top down’ and dare I say it, male, discourse around looking after babies.

Hate ta also

i don't like the way it sounds.

It’s a simple consonant/vowel combination, there’s nothing objectively wrong with it.

So it’ll be your associations with it that you have an issue with, which if i were you I’d find interesting to explore. But obviously I’m not you and you can do what you want.

In my experience, people who dislike it see it as a ‘common’ word, but it may be something else driving the dislike for you, who knows.