Relationship between Infant-Directed Speech and Word Segmentation Research Paper - 1

Relationship between Infant-Directed Speech and Word Segmentation - Research Paper Example The writer will  analyze different aspects of both concepts, and provide appropriate conclusions on their relationship. Also known as caretaker speech, and informally as â€Å"mommy talk,† IDS is a central aspect of child development. Contrary to popular opinion, its influence is not restricted to language development alone. IDS also considerably improves the cognitive abilities of infants by encouraging them to use their senses and practice functions like grasping and holding (Aitchison, 1996:26). In the language development aspect, word segmentation is the dimension that attracts the most interest from researchers regarding IDS. Infants’ ability to segment words develops variable and is influenced by a number of factors. However, IDS has so far been linked with many features of word dimension, such as recognition of repetitive words and comprehension of new words and phrases. When parents and minders talk to infants, they indoctrinate them in their dialect. They int roduce them to novel phrases and terms that they will, inevitably, learn as they grow. However, research seems to show that depending on how early they are exposed to IDS, children can exhibit extremely contrasting proficiencies in language development and speech (Fabbro, 1999:46). Parents who involve their children in IDS as much as possible have reported better language and speech development, as well as refined cognitive abilities. According to Harley (2013:48), the impact of IDS on word segmentation can be better explained when we consider that it is relatively easy to manipulate the cognitive abilities of infants and children. Infants, specifically, adapt to new environments and habits depending on the extent and frequency with which they are exposed to them. For example, we can consider the dialects used by different parents when communicating with their children to show how IDS affects word segmentation.