childspeak
How toddlers communicate
Childspeak is the simplified language adults use when talking to young children, or the characteristic speech patterns of children themselves.
It includes shortened words, sing-song intonation, and basic vocabulary: Use your words, not childspeak—say "I want water," not "wa-wa".
The term can be dismissive when applied to oversimplified adult communication: The politician's childspeak explanations insulted voters' intelligence.
Incoherent speech
- cooingSoft murmuring sounds
- vocabularyOne's word collection
- articulationClear vocal expression
- pronunciationManner of speaking words
milestones · acquisition · comprehension · phonology · utterance · imitation · telegraphic · overgeneralization
Making something less complex
- mispronunciationIncorrect vocal rendering
- lispSibilant pronunciation difficulty
- stammerSpeak with involuntary repetitions
- reduplicationMorphological doubling process
baby-talk · diminutives · overextension · fronting · stopping · gliding · assimilation · neologisms
Light, rapid speech
- prattleTrivial, prolonged speech
- natterLight, aimless conversation
- questionsRequests for information
- interruptingBreaking in mid-speech
turn-taking · storytelling · show-and-tell · tattling · whining · pleading · demanding · negotiating
Innocent lack of experience
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- curiosityDesire to learn
- simplicityLack of complexity
- imaginationFaculty for forming ideas
playfulness · whimsy · sincerity · honesty · literalness · bluntness · animism · fantasy
babble
Incoherent speech
- cooingSoft murmuring sounds
- vocabularyOne's word collection
- articulationClear vocal expression
pronunciation · milestones · acquisition · comprehension · phonology · utterance · imitation · telegraphic · overgeneralization · motherese
simplification
Making something less complex
- mispronunciationIncorrect vocal rendering
- lispSibilant pronunciation difficulty
- stammerSpeak with involuntary repetitions
reduplication · baby-talk · diminutives · overextension · fronting · stopping · gliding · assimilation · neologisms
chatter
Light, rapid speech
interrupting · turn-taking · storytelling · show-and-tell · tattling · whining · pleading · demanding · negotiating · backtalk
naivety
Innocent lack of experience
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- curiosityDesire to learn
- simplicityLack of complexity
imagination · playfulness · whimsy · sincerity · honesty · literalness · bluntness · animism · fantasy · make-believe
childspeakformal speech
Prepared public address
official language · legalese · technical jargon · diplomatic language
child, speak, children, childish, childlike, childless, childhood, childcare, speaks