“I think it's innate. I've never met a woman who doesn't use it around babies. My dad even uses it with my dog.”

— Emily Meyer, Johnson County Community College junior, Winfield

“I think it's more of a behavioral thing people learn from their culture.”

— Nathanael May, Kansas University graduate student, Lawrence

“I think it's innate. Although, according to my child development class, baby talk has no educational purpose. I think it's just a natural thing for people to do.”

— Arkisha Beasley, JCCC Freshman, Lawrence

“I think it's learned. People just use it because they think it's comforting or soothing to children.”

— Julie Langton, sales consultant, Lawrence