- Married couples communicate with the same techniques used on babies and dogs
- Simple language and a high pitch ensure that their messages get through
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Married couples communicate with the same techniques used on babies and dogs, a study shows.
Long-suffering husbands and wives use exaggerated facial expressions, simple language, and a higher pitch to ensure their messages get across.
The way of speaking, known as ‘baby talk’ or ‘motherese’, is the same used to catch the attention of babies and dogs who cannot understand what is being said.
Researcher Édua Koós-Hutás from Lorand University in Hungary said: ‘The way parents talk to babies and each other has many similarities in how their facial expressions change.
“This similarity could stem from the emotional closeness and bonding and help create a sincere and focused atmosphere when they talk.”
Married couples communicate with the same techniques used on babies and dogs, study finds (stock image)
The researchers found that people often adopt ‘surprised’ expressions – with wide eyes, raised eyebrows and more teeth on display – when talking to their spouses.
They also observed more exaggerated mouth movements.
These techniques are often used when talking to babies to help them learn language skills and when talking to dogs in an attempt to convey messages to a non-verbal animal.
Baby talk may also involve speaking at a higher pitch with a sing-song tone, a slower pace and the use of simplified, often repeated words, the researchers said.
The study, published in Applied Animal Behavior Science, looked at 46 married people who had a dog and a baby.
The researchers analyzed facial expressions and emotional states while the individuals talked to their spouse, child and pet individually.
The researchers analyzed facial expressions and emotional states while the subjects talked to their spouse, child and pet individually.
They found that while talking to the dog or reading a nursery rhyme to their baby, the parents used more pronounced facial muscle movements.
This was considered to be an effective way to capture and retain attention.
Surprisingly, they found similar results when the spouses addressed each other.
They said the reason for this varies, but couples may use these techniques to hold their partner’s attention or strengthen emotional bonds.
When communicating with strangers, the range of facial expressions and exaggerated mouth movements was reduced.