If you remember from the Simpson's episode, Brother can you spare two dimes, Homer's brother Herb invents a device to translate baby language. Now it looks like some Australian mother is claiming to have figured out baby speech. Shouldn't the Simpson's get a patent or something? Perhaps get a cut of the profits here!?
A newly discovered baby language is helping infants sleep through the night and mothers bond with their babies. After eight years of research, Australian mother Priscilla Dunstan says she has discovered a universal baby language, comprised of five distinct sounds. Dunstan says babies produce the different sounds depending on their needs. 'Neh' means the child is hungry, while 'owh' indicates he or she is tired. Other sounds include 'eh', 'eairh' and 'heh', which mean the infant needs burping, has wind or is uncomfortable.Dunstan says babies make these sounds during the "pre-cry stage" - before they start crying hysterically - thus, parents who learn to identify the noises should be able to reduce the frequency of screaming outbursts. Dunstan, who has always had a sharp listening skills, identified the five key sounds after spending hours listening to her own son and other infants.
Seriously... is there any truth in this? I know next to nothing about language.
Maybe this only applies to Australian babies ;)
Here's the source.
(from the old blog)
Comments
Here's what Language Log had to say about it.
Posted by: rehana | March 8, 2007 3:12 PM
Before I check out the link, I am going to weigh in and say that it sounds like a giant load of steaming poo. Whatever a load of poo sounds like. I'll bet it's a pre-cry sound.
Posted by: dan dright | March 8, 2007 9:09 PM