Tag Archives: Warlpiri

Warlpiri baby talk helps children learn words: our new study

All over the world adults use baby talk with young children, changing their speech a little. Most of the languages that people have studied have lots of vowels, like English, with a, e, i, o, u, ai, ei, au, and more. Warlpiri has only three vowels: a, i, u. Do Warlpiri adults change their vowelsContinue reading “Warlpiri baby talk helps children learn words: our new study”

A new study of Warlpiri language shows how ‘baby talk’ helps little kids learn to speak

By Rikke Bundgaard-Nielsen, Carmel O’Shannessy, Alice Nelson, Jessie Bartlett, Vanessa Davis Re-printed from The Conversation, June 27, 2023: https://theconversation.com/a-new-study-of-warlpiri-language-shows-how-baby-talk-helps-little-kids-learn-to-speak-207835 Parents and other caregivers typically modify their speech when they talk to babies and young children. They use simple sentences and special words, like “nana” for banana. They also speak slowly, use a higher pitch, and exaggerate theContinue reading “A new study of Warlpiri language shows how ‘baby talk’ helps little kids learn to speak”

Warlpiri baby talk helps children learn words: our new study

All over the world adults use baby talk with young children, changing their speech a little. Warlpiri researcher Alice Nelson Napurrurla says: “When we are sitting and talking with the little ones, we must always use their words … like when we say ‘mangarri‘ (food), ‘miyi‘ (vegetable food), they say ‘nyanya‘ (food). Or when weContinue reading “Warlpiri baby talk helps children learn words: our new study”

The Little Kids’ Word List is ready to use!

Go to: The Little Kids’ Word List The Little Kids’ Word List is a fun way to see which words children know and say in Eastern & Central Arrernte, Warlpiri and English. It was developed from talking with families and recording the words people say to little kids. It will be helpful for families andContinue reading “The Little Kids’ Word List is ready to use!”

International authorisation for the Little Kids Word List!

Good news – we meet an international standard! The Little Kids Word List (LKWL) is now authorised by the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories Advisory Board. This means that it is an internationally-recognised way of keeping track of young children’s language development in four languages spoken in Central Australia. It will be ready for families andContinue reading “International authorisation for the Little Kids Word List!”