To round off the year, here are some choice cuts from the Allusionist vault of interesting things that guests said that there wasn’t room for in the original episodes. Brace yourself for a vivid name for dust bunnies, the scary side of glamour, another reason to be grateful for bears, and Schrödinger’s Fart.
Read moreAllusionist 20: Baby Talk
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Why do we all sound like idiots when we talk to babies? Don't be embarrassed, we're helping them acquire language. Child psychologist Ben Jeffes explains.
Caution: may cause flashbacks to the time you were trapped in the Why? Loop for six years.
WHO WANTS A WICKLE READ? YES YOU DO! YES YOU DO!
Here's a comprehensive piece about how politeness sent 'thou' packing in favour of 'you'.
What we refer to as 'baby talk' in the episode is also known as 'parentese', apparently.
Here's a whopper of a New Yorker article about talking to children, and the differences arising from economics/class.
Read a quick overview of bilingual babies, and then more of the science.
There's a transcript of this episode here.
Allusionist T-shirts exist! Treat your torso at teepublic.com/stores/the-allusionist.
RANDOMLY SELECTED WORD FROM THE DICTIONARY:
decrepitate
CREDITS:
Ben Jeffes is a child psychologist. He must hear a lot of 'Why?' in his working day. Find him at childprofiles.co.uk.
This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman. The music is by Martin Austwick. Hear and/or download more - WITH LYRICS! - at thesoundoftheladies.bandcamp.com.
Talk to me like we're both adults at facebook.com/allusionistshow, twitter.com/allusionistshow and twitter.com/helenzaltzman.
