The relevance of mothers' speech in communication with the pre-verbal child.

Abstract

In this research project, the speech which four mothers used to address their language-learning infants was examined. Part 1. A Descriptive analysis of mother's speech to infants led to the conclusion that this speech is both simple and redundant in nature, as measured by the language classification tools used. However, the four mothers used in this study differed from each other, in their speech to their infants. Part 11. A Trend analysis of measures of mother's speech to infants was used, to note how this speech changed over time. Little change was observed within each mother's speech to her infant, over the following periods of time: Oliver's and Julie's mothers, 24 weeks (each), Sarah's mother, 42 weeks and Kerryn's mother, 56 weeks. Part 111. A Functional analysis of mother's speech to infants suggests that speech varies in function as the child develops. This is particularly seen in the inclusion of the world about the child by the mother in her speech. The content of the mother's messages also varies over time. Finally an example of trends in 'conversation between mothers and their infants is presented as another useful approach.