Rhythmic modification in child directed speech

Abstract

Interval-based rhythm metrics were applied to the speech of English, Catalan and Spanish female adults addressing their children (aged 2, 4 and 6 years) and compared with their speech when addressing adults. Results reveal that when mothers speak to their children, their speech is more vocalic and more even-timed than when they address other adults. However, cross-linguistic differences are still maintained, suggesting that indices specific to both speech style and language co-exist.