Maternés: the communication style we use with babies
This way of speaking, intoning and gesturing is part of the most affectionate relationships.
It is possible that the concept of maternés is unknown to more than one person, although it is most likely that on some occasion we have used it or will use it at some point. For example, when a friend or relative introduces us to their baby, or directly when we have children. Maternés is the affectionate and at the same time peculiar language that we usually use when interacting with babies and very young children. In this article we are going to speak briefly of this form of communicating.
What is maternés?
Maternés or parentés, also known as the language or speech of the caregiver, is the style of speech and nonverbal expression we typically use to address an infant.. It is a dialect of the language we use to communicate that has its own characteristics in terms of intonation, grammar and even lexicon.
This way of communicating uses a very careful pronunciation and vocalization in which an exaggerated intonation stands out, sharpening the voice and separating words and phrases in a marked way. These tend to be short and repetitive, and focus on the present.
Another striking feature of this type of speech is that it tends to simplify the lexicon: words are reduced (e.g., changing chupete for pete is an example) or even transformed to become onomatopoeias (e.g., speaking of guau-guau instead of using the word perro). It is also common structures, words and phrases are repeated in short periods of time.. It is also common to abuse diminutives.
But but motherese is not only oralWe also often accompany this dialect with abundant gesticulations, physical contact and expression through body language. For example, we smile, touch them, point to things in the environment or pretend to be surprised to see, for example, a dog.
Also, the person speaking is not doing a monologue, but is interacting with the baby, and in fact some kind of dialogue is usually elaborated, with the baby responding with movements, looking or seeking our gaze, kicking, gurgling or making a sound. To these responses we usually respond orally or by rewarding the baby with our attention or cuddles..
The importance of this way of speaking
Generally we use motherese without thinking exactly why, and some people find it ridiculous and ineffective. However, its use with a baby makes a lot of sense and is very useful for the baby's development.
First of all, the intonation we use with a baby is highly emotional and tends to reflect positive emotions and feelings towards the infant. reflect positive feelings and emotions towards the infant, which facilitates the existence of a positiveThis facilitates the existence of a positive communication and the establishment of affective relationships between baby and speaker. Likewise, as we have said, we do not just talk and that's it, but we sustain an interaction that the baby picks up on and responds to, establishing bonds with the adult or person who is communicating with him.
In addition, variations in intonation and the variations in intonation and exaggerated accentuation are stimuli that attract the attention of the baby, who will tend to pay more attention to the sounds and their source than in comparison with adult speech.
Generally, such exaggerated accentuation occurs in fragments of speech that contain relevant properties to be learned, making it easier for the infant to record them in the future. The child listens to sentences that are not very complex and that will gradually become comprehensible and can then go deeper.and can then go deeper. It is therefore a very important language that, although it does not in itself create the learning of language, it contributes and facilitates its acquisition.
Not only with babies: with whom else do we use it?
Although maternés is a style of speech that we may or may not use, it is generally it is performed with subjects that awaken in us certain physiological reactionstriggering the synthesis of different hormones. These include dopamine, oxytocin (associated with emotional bonding) and phenylethylamine, also associated with emotional bonding.
However, this does not mean that the use or non-use of maternés depends on these hormones (in fact, although it is common in our society, it is not used in other contexts despite the fact that the emotional reactions generated by children are the same).
Usually when we talk about maternity we imagine someone talking and communicating with a newborn or a small child. But the truth is that this type of speech is not only applied to maternity or paternity but has been extended to other areas.
Pets
One of them is that of pets. It is not uncommon to hear someone talk maternally to dogs, cats, rabbits or other animals, usually when they are being given affection. Although many of the animals that keep us company are not able to really understand what we say (although they can understand a specific request with training), they are able to capture the intonation and the emotionality impressed on it.
Relationships
Another area in which the same language is sometimes applied as that which we would apply with a child is that of the couple. Although in this case the understanding of the language is usually complete on the part of both partners, some couples use mothering as a way of interacting in an affectionate way. as a way of interacting in an affectionate manner, as a way of expressing appreciation, devotion or sweetness that the other person arouses, or as a little joke to pique their partner.
Bibliographical references:
- Karmiloff, K. and Karmiloff-Smith, A.(2005). Toward language. From the fetus to the adolescent. Ediciones Morata, S.L. Madrid.
- Martí, M. (2015). Bases neurológicas del lenguaje. Procesamiento del lenguaje en el niño; In M. del C. Fernández López (coord.): La enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera a niños: contenidos básicos para la formación del docente. Alcalá de Henares: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Alcalá, pp. 93-161.
- Puente, A. (2006). The origins of language (with G. Russell). Madrid: Alianza Editorial.
- Seltzer, L.F. (2013) The real reason why couples use baby talk. Psychology Today. Online. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolution-the-self/201312/the-real-reason-why-couples-use-baby-talk?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost
- Serra, M.; Serrat, E; Solé, R.; Bel, A. and Aparici, M. (2008). Language acquisition. Barcelona: Editorial Ariel.
(Updated at Apr 13 / 2024)