title: [Prosody, speech input and language acquisition].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In order to acquire language, children require speech input. The prosody of the speech input plays an important role. In most cultures adults modify their code when communicating with children. Compared to normal speech this code differs especially with regard to prosody.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this review a selective literature search in PubMed and Scopus was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prosodic characteristics are a key feature of spoken language. By analysing prosodic features, children gain knowledge about underlying grammatical structures. Child-directed speech (CDS) is modified in a way that meaningful sequences are highlighted acoustically so that important information can be extracted from the continuous speech flow more easily. CDS is said to enhance the representation of linguistic signs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taking into consideration what has previously been described in the literature regarding the perception of suprasegmentals, CDS seems to be able to support language acquisition due to the correspondence of prosodic and syntactic units. However, no findings have been reported, stating that the linguistically reduced CDS could hinder first language acquisition.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland, jungheim.michael@mh-hannover.de.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jungheim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kühn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ptok
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002663:Child Language; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D008037:Linguistics; D008954:Models, Biological; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology*