1. Child-Directed Speech (CDS): This is a simplified and exaggerated form of speech that adults often use when talking to young children. It includes features like:
* Higher pitch: Adults often speak in a higher-pitched voice, which is easier for children to understand.
* Slower pace: Speech is delivered more slowly, allowing children time to process information.
* Exaggerated intonation: Adults use more dramatic changes in tone and rhythm to draw attention.
* Simple vocabulary: Adults use simpler words and phrases, avoiding complex jargon.
* Shorter sentences: Sentences are typically shorter and more concise.
* Repetition: Words and phrases are often repeated for emphasis.
2. Language Acquisition Support (LAS): This refers to the ways in which caregivers support children's language development beyond simply using CDS. This can include:
* Joint attention: Caregivers actively engage with children by focusing on the same object or activity.
* Turn-taking: Caregivers encourage children to take turns during conversations, helping them understand the back-and-forth nature of language.
* Expansion and recasting: Caregivers take what a child says and expand upon it, or recast it into a grammatically correct sentence.
* Scaffolding: Caregivers provide just enough support to help children succeed in a language task, gradually reducing their support as children become more competent.
While CDS is a universal phenomenon, the specific features and the extent to which caregivers engage in LAS can vary significantly across cultures. This reflects the diverse ways in which different cultures view and approach language development.