Metaphonology and Infant Vocalizations

Abstract

The classical literature on infant vocalizations as possible precursors to speech reveals seemingly irreconcilable theoretical views. Jakobson (1941), for example, contended that there was no important phonetic relationship between infant vocalizations and speech, while Lewis (1936) pointed to striking phonetic similarities in infant babbling and early speech. Both views were based, at least in part, on diary studies; yet Jakobson referred to early infant vocalizations as involving “wild” or “random” sounds, while Lewis noted patterns of vocalization indicating emergence of a capacity for speech.