Baby Talk Beginnings

Euge pointed me to this article in Scientific American. If not enlightening, it is entertaining. Get this:

Assuming, as many anthropologists do, that early humans had chimplike social structures, moms did most of the child rearing. But having to hold on to an infant constantly would have significantly diminished their foraging efficiency.

Based on this theory, moms developed vocal cues to placate their gibs. Fact counter to this theory, I'm sure Steph will agree, is Oliver. No vocal cues placate him, which in turn has substantially diminished Steph's foraging efficiency.