Scientists discovered how babies influence parents' speech

Cornell University researchers have discovered that infants not only learn language but also create conditions that help adults speak more simply, thus facilitating their own learning. This phenomenon is observed across all cultures, regardless of language and parenting traditions. The research results are published in Current Biology.

How Infants Influence Adult Speech

Experts found that parents and caregivers intuitively shorten sentence length and use simpler words when responding to babies' babbling. This unconscious behavior creates feedback that promotes speech acquisition.

Psychologists call this phenomenon the simplification effect: responses to infant babbling contain fewer rare words, and phrases become shorter and clearer.

"Babbling is not a random collection of sounds," explains Professor Michael Goldstein. "It's a tool through which infants receive information adapted to their level."

The Study Covered 13 Languages

Scientists analyzed over 1,500 transcripts of parent-child interactions with children aged 5 to 30 months across 13 languages, including French, Spanish, Swedish, Estonian, Korean, and Japanese.

The simplification effect was evident even among Tzeltal Maya - farmers in southern Mexico who don't use the typical sing-song, emotionally colored speech common in Western cultures when talking to infants.

"It was previously thought that in cultures where people don't use 'baby talk,' infants learn speech simply by overhearing surrounding conversations," noted one of the study's authors, Dr. Steven Elmlinger. "Our data disproves this: even there, adults respond to babbling and engage in dialogue."

How This Will Change the Approach to Speech Learning

The research may influence educational and social programs. Instead of simply recommending parents talk more to their children, scientists suggest focusing on the quality and timing of communication.

"It's not just about the quantity of words, but how and when adults respond to infant babbling," emphasizes Goldstein. "Infants can manage conversation, and it's important for parents to respond promptly to this."