Married couples communicate with the same techniques used on babies and dogs, a study found.
Long-suffering husbands and wives use exaggerated facial expressions, simple language and a higher pitch to ensure their messages get through.
The speech manner, known as ‘baby talk’ or ‘motherese’, is the same used to capture the attention of infants and dogs, who cannot understand what is being said.
Researcher Édua Koós-Hutás, of Lorand University in Hungary, said: ‘The way parents talk to babies and each other shares a lot of similarities in how their facial expressions are changed.
‘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, a study found (stock image)
The researchers found that people often adopt ‘surprised’ expressions – with wide eyes, raised eyebrows and more teeth on display – when speaking 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 speaking to dogs in an attempt to relay messages to a non-verbal animal.
Baby talk can also involve speaking in a higher pitch with a sing-song tone, a slower tempo and the use of simplified, frequently repeated words, the researchers said.
The study, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, examined 46 married people who had a dog and a baby.
The researchers analysed facial expressions and emotional states while the individuals spoke to their spouse, child, and pet individually
The researchers analysed facial expressions and emotional states while the individuals spoke 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 deemed an effective way to capture and maintain 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 keep their partner’s attention or enhance emotional bonds.
When communicating with strangers, the range of facial expressions and exaggerated mouth movements was reduced.
