Child-directed speech
Child-directed speech (CDS) is the speech of caregivers to infants and children. It is a particular speech register which is characterized by modifications to prosody, and simplifications in lexical and syntactic choices. It is unknown how widespread each of these features are, of to what extent this register is a universal feature of languages. Some cultures have been reported to lack such a register. However, it is likely that aspects of prosodic modification and the simplification of lexical and syntactic choices can be found, even in cultures where these features are subtle.
This register has been known by several names: motherse, infant-directed speech, baby talk.
