baby-talk
Goo-goo language style
Baby-talk is the simplified speech adults use with infants and young children—high pitch, exaggerated intonation, simple words, and repetition: Does the baby want her bah-bah?
The style appears cross-culturally and may aid language acquisition.
Baby-talk also describes any oversimplified or condescending speech: Don't baby-talk me, just explain the problem.
Infantile vocalization reduplication
- ga-gaExcessively infatuated
- cooingSoft murmuring sounds
- gurgleBubbling liquid sound
- mothereseInfant-directed speech register
parentese · gibberish · sing-song · high-pitched · singsong · repetition · simplified · exaggerated
Soothing song for babies
- cradleRocking bed for infants
- nurseryRoom for infants
- pacifierInfant sucking device
- cribSmall bed with rails
rocking · swaddling · feeding · diaper · teething · soothing · bedtime · naptime
Treating someone as inferior
- infantileCharacteristic of infants
- childishImmature in manner
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
simplistic · dumbed-down · oversimplified · dismissive · juvenile · immature · unsophisticated · mocking
Soft avian vocalization
- gurgleBubbling liquid sound
- murmurSoft, indistinct continuous sound
- burbleFlow with bubbling sounds
- squealShrill, piercing cry
giggle · whimper · sigh · hum · croon · chirp · peep · warble
Connection or fondness
- affectionWarm emotional attachment
- connectionA joining or relation
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
tenderness · warmth · comfort · trust · closeness · soothing · reassurance · cuddle
goo-goo
Infantile vocalization reduplication
motherese · parentese · gibberish · sing-song · high-pitched · singsong · repetition · simplified · exaggerated · intonation
lullaby
Soothing song for babies
crib · rocking · swaddling · feeding · diaper · teething · soothing · bedtime · naptime · highchair
patronizing
Treating someone as inferior
belittling · simplistic · dumbed-down · oversimplified · dismissive · juvenile · immature · unsophisticated · mocking · insulting
coo
Soft avian vocalization
squeal · giggle · whimper · sigh · hum · croon · chirp · peep · warble · trill
attachment
Connection or fondness
- affectionWarm emotional attachment
- connectionA joining or relation
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
nurturing · tenderness · warmth · comfort · trust · closeness · soothing · reassurance · cuddle · snuggle
mimicry
Adaptive resemblance to another
mirroring · mock · emulate · ape · parroting · repetition · modeling · learning · acquisition · mimic
baby-talkformal speech
Prepared public address
legalese · business English · proper English · official language · diplomatic language
talk, baby, babe, babble, talking, babbling, talker, prattle, babbled