motherese

/ ˌmʌðəˈriːz /

noun

1. the simplified and repetitive type of speech, with exaggerated intonation and rhythm, often used by adults when speaking to babies

Example Sentences

Research shows that young children are attracted to “parentese” or “motherese” — the kind of “baby talk” that the videos predominantly feature, in which the voice gets higher and facial expressions are exaggerated, Dr. Moyle said.

From New York Times

The dolphin researchers don’t yet know whether dolphin calves prefer motherese whistles.

From Science Magazine

Mother bats speak to their babies in an equivalent of “motherese.”

From Scientific American

And babies, as anyone who has ever found themselves in the presence of one knows, also prefer the higher pitched, universal singsong that researchers call "motherese."

From Salon

It's the exaggerated pitch, tempo and intonation that parents use when talking to their little ones — what linguists call "motherese" or "parentese."

From Salon