Hello from Colombia
Apr 11, 2019 14:52:44 GMT 9
Post by Adam Beck on Apr 11, 2019 14:52:44 GMT 9
About the last advice, hmm... I don't know, I mean it's good and useful, but don't our voices naturally change when using one language or the other? It's something that happens without thinking...but either way there's the special tone that is addressed to the baby so English voice + tone adapted to the baby = something very appealing to the baby, right?
Caro, yes, your circumstances make this idea of "strategic emphasis" challenging for you. But as I mentioned, it's not an "all or nothing" strategy: you simply do what you realistically can to implement the idea to the greatest degree possible. Generally speaking, though, the more you're able to emphasize English and "de-emphasize" Spanish (and what's most important, really, is speaking consistently to your daughter in English), the more you'll likely raise the odds of nurturing her need to communicate with you in English once she begins to speak.
And I agree, the use of that higher-toned "motherese" seems to be instinctively used when adults are interacting with small children. My suggestion, though, is to stay mindful of this fact and use it to your advantage by, again, creating the strongest contrast you can between emphasizing English and "de-emphasizing" Spanish in her presence.
