Which term corresponds to infant-directed speech?

• A. Motherese
• B. Silent Period
• C. Critical Period
• D. Cognitive Development

Answer: (A)

Infant-directed speech is the way adults adjust their voice when talking to babies. This register, often called motherese (also known as parentese), features a higher pitch, slower tempo, exaggerated intonation, and simpler, repetitive syntax. These characteristics grab infants’ attention, help them segment sounds, and make it easier to learn words and meanings, while the warm, engaging tone supports social interaction and bonding. The other terms refer to different concepts: a Silent Period describes a time when learners don’t speak in a second language; a Critical Period is a developmental window when language learning is most efficient; Cognitive Development covers broader growth in thinking rather than the specific speech style. Therefore, motherese is the term that corresponds to infant-directed speech.