Who do you think came up with those cool ranch-flavor-blasted apple pies?

Note to Ms. Olen: I do believe Ms. Gregory Thomas meant "hawk," not "hock."

As late as the mid-80s, my grandma's small-town MN paper did the same thing. I know this, because it was sometimes reported that I was visiting her.

Something like "ba ba" is a perfect example of breaking down a word into manageable morphemes. Of course, they're also going to hear adults around them saying the full, correct word, unless they live with some seriously disturbed people who only speak in baby talk to other adults, never take them outside or let them…

Free Ballard!

I mean, they should auto-approve you based on your screen name ALONE.

♥=warmed.

Heh?

As I said over on Autostraddle: META LEZ!

One of the things I love about linguistics is that there are soooo many different aspects of it to look at; language acquisition isn't my main thing, but it can be kinda fascinating, especially second language acquisition.

Actually, linguistic play (i.e. making up words) can be an excellent part of aquiring language—plays on words, repetition, rhyming, etc. all help familiarize a young child with word structure and syntax.

This is a good summation:

Not really true; studies have shown that "baby talk" does serve a useful linguistic purpose in infant acquisition of language. Once they're past infancy, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax.

Also, that WSJ article uses Kathleen Turner as an example of vocal fry, which I don't think is accurate. A woman with a deeper or huskier voice is not the same as someone who uses vocal fry in their speech.

Yes. Yes, she is.

Excellent reackles.

Who do I snoogle first?

I think the one on the left is just stoned.

It's not animated, but here ya go. Use it as you will.

I spent all day today looking at reports of domestic violence fatalities, so I totally needed this. And lots of more this-like things. Unamused corgies help chase the ick away.