Baby Talk and the Appropriateness Therein

Let's talk about baby talk. In fact, I am just going to write about it and talk to myself. If you are reading this so much the better.

I have heard some of the most endearing (and slightly annoying) baby talk lately. I know what the childhood experts say about it in the formation of early language development, but to this I take one exception.

Baby talk isn't the nonsense syllables, that cooing, and funny faces, though it contains all of those things. It is the language of love and security. Can you speak in full sentences and still convey those feelings, well yes you can. However, why do we as adults use it not just for babies but for talking with that special someone in our lives?

I could say to a girlfriend "Gosh I love you. See the turned up smile and the twinkle in my eye? See my body language. Hear the sincerity in my voice." Talk about unromantic.

Talking baby talk to a child or an adult takes down those defenses we usually have up when we are having a conversation. We become a little infantile and in the process the person (or baby) isn't hearing the words spoken but the emotions conveyed.

When I was in a relationship one of the most warm and thoughtful things ever said to me was "You are such a dork!" But it was said with the most love and caring that it became my highest compliment.

Now don't call anyone else's baby a dork. The parents may not take it the right way. Nor call your boyfriend or girlfriend one unless you really mean it with your whole heart and in it is said in baby-talk!