Maternés: the communication style we use with babies

It is possible that the concept of maternal It is unknown to more than one person, although it is most likely that you have used it on some occasion or will use it at some point.

For example when a friend or relative introduces us to their baby, or directly when we have children. And it is that maternal is the affectionate and at the same time peculiar language that we usually use when interacting with babies and very young children. In this article we are going to talk briefly about this way of communicating.

• Related article: "What is affection and why does it mark us throughout life?"

What is maternity?

Maternés or parentés, also known as caregiver's language or speech, is the style of speech and non-verbal expression that we typically use to address a baby. It is a dialect of the language that we use to communicate that has its own characteristics in terms of intonation, grammar or even vocabulary.

This way of communicating uses a very careful pronunciation and vocalization in which an exaggerated intonation stands out, sharpening the voice and separating words and phrases in a marked way. These tend to be short and repetitive, and focus on the present.

Another striking characteristic of this type of speech is that the lexicon is usually simplified: the words are reduced (change pacifier for pete is an example) or are even transformed to become onomatopoeias (for example, talking about woof-woof instead of using the word dog). It is also usual repetition of structures, words, and phrases in short periods. Likewise, it is common for diminutives to be abused.

But Maternés is not only oral, but we also usually accompany this dialect with abundant gesticulations, physical contact and expression through body language. For example, we smile, touch them, point to things in the environment or pretend to be surprised when we see, for example, a dog.

Also, the person speaking is not doing a monologue, but is interacting with the baby and actually usually comes to develop some kind of dialogue, the baby responding with movements, looking or seeking our gaze, kicking, gurgling or emitting some sound. To these answers we usually respond orally or rewarding the little one with our attention or pampering.

• You may be interested in: "The 4 stages of language development"

The importance of this way of speaking

We often use mothernese without thinking exactly why, and some people find it ridiculous and ineffective. However, its use with a baby makes a lot of sense and is very useful for its development.

And it is that in the first place, the intonation that we use with the maternal language is highly emotional and tends to reflect positive emotions and feelings towards the infant, which facilitates the existence of positive communication and the establishment of affective relationships between the baby and the speaker. Likewise, as we have said, we do not limit ourselves to talking and that's it, but we maintain an interaction that the baby captures and to which she responds, establishing bonds with the adult or person who communicates with he.

Besides, variations in intonation and exaggerated stress they involve stimuli that attract the attention of the baby, who will tend to pay more attention to the sounds and their source than compared to adult speech.

Generally, such exaggerated stress occurs in fragments of speech that contain relevant properties to learn, making it possible for the baby to record them in the future with greater ease. The boy or girl listen to sentences that are not very complex and that little by little will become understandable, being able to deepen after that. It is therefore a very important language that, although it does not create language learning by itself, contributes and facilitates its acquisition.

Not just with babies: who else do we use it with?

Although Maternal is a style of speech that we may or may not use, generally It is carried out with subjects that arouse in us certain physiological reactions, triggering the synthesis of different hormones. Among them is dopamine, oxytocin (associated with emotional bonding) and the one also associated with affective bonding with phenylethylamine.

Of course, that does not mean that the use or non-use of the maternés depends on these hormones (in fact, although it is common in our society, in other contexts it is not used despite the fact that the emotional reactions generated by children are the themselves).

Generally when talking about maternal we imagine someone talking and communicating with a newborn or a small child. But the truth is that this type of speech does not apply only to maternity or paternity but it has spread to other areas.

1. Pets

One of them is that of pets. It is not uncommon to hear someone speak maternal to dogs, cats, rabbits, or other animals, usually when they are being given affection. Although many of the animals that keep us company are not capable of really understanding what we say (despite being able to understand a specific request with training), they are capable of capturing the intonation and emotion printed on he.

2. Couple relationships

Another of the areas in which the same language that we would apply with a child is sometimes applied is in that of the couple. Although in this case the comprehension of the language is usually complete on the part of both, some couples use the maternal language as a way of interacting affectively, as a way of expressing the appreciation, devotion or sweetness that the other person arouses, or as a little joke to sting her partner.