Twins often develop a secret language called cryptophasia, with 50% of twins engaging in it. Some researchers attribute this to language delays seen in twins, who may have been born prematurely and have lower birth weights. Skeptics say it’s just a mispronunciation of vocabulary words.
There’s no denying that twins are closer than most siblings. They shared the womb, as well as most of their early childhood experiences. Their DNA is nearly identical. As children, still unable to master a “real” language, they often seem to share a secret language that only they can understand, with words that sound gibberish to the uninitiated. Researchers say that about 50 percent of all twins born at the same time, whether they are identical or fraternal, engage in cryptophasia, the technical term for this communication phenomenon. Cryptophasia is typically just a temporary way for twins to communicate until they learn to express themselves in real words.
The Secret Lives of the Twins:
Some researchers attribute “twin talk” to the prevalent language delays seen in twins. The inability to form recognizable speech sounds appears to affect twins more often than single children.
Twins are more likely to have been born prematurely and have a lower birth weight. Sometimes they lag behind other children, who tend to interact more with their parents.
Skeptics say cryptophasia is actually just a mispronunciation of vocabulary words that twins repeat to each other. They say these attempts to master the language are something every child goes through.
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