Ask-A-Linguist Message Details
| Subject: | Parents using the second person when talking about their child |
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| Question: |
Hi, I have noticed that mothers often say things like, ''we don't like to wear our hair bow on Tuesdays'', when really they mean that their young (usually pre-linguistic) child doesn't like to wear their hair bow on Tuesdays. Is there a name for this phenomenon and why do you think it happens? Thanks |
| Reply: |
This sounds like a variation of "motherese" or the phenenomenon in some cultures (incl our own) where mothers and other caretakers change their speech patterns when speaking to children or in the presence of their children. FYI - For the example above, I'm assuming that the child was present when the statement was made. "Conventional wisdom" among parents is that motherese is a way of simplifying speech and to assist in communication (or perhaps make the child feel more included in this case). There was a lot of debate about whether motherese actually helps with some arguing that it hurts (I've seen TV ads arguing against motherese). Apparently, not every culture practices it so it's not a universal, and I have seen parents use more adult like speech patterns (but maybe a little slower and with intonation like motherese) FWIW - Lots of American children have been exposed to motherese and have become competent speakers of English, so I don't think it is anything to really worry about one way or another. |
| Reply From: | Elizabeth J Pyatt click here to access email |
| Date: | 17-Apr-2012 |
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