It often seems like babies live in their world separate from the world of adults.
Though many of us can’t remember our infancy, it’s a time when our brains are in overdrive trying to make connections and understand the world around us. Trying to learn how to speak and how to walk takes up quite a lot of energy. Although those of us who were only children have our own unique view of the world, those who grew up with a sibling have a different take on things.
And twin babies have an especially unique outlook.
One clip spreading around the internet shows just how precious and adorable twin babies can be.
The video shows two Dutch babies named Merle and Stijn looking into one another’s eyes while mom and dad film. Although nothing in particular is happening at the onset of the video, the two begin by cooing at one another before falling silent. Then, one of the twins has a big laugh, all of which makes dad laugh as well.
Still, the two babies are just getting warmed up.
A few moments later, one of the children starts rhythmically cooing over and over.
The pattern becomes almost hypnotic, and eventually the other starts joining in and matching the tone! By the end of the clip, the two babies are getting closer and closer together, repeating each others’ vocalizations and riffing off of one another. Although the two children are very young, it seems clear that they are communicating something exclusive with one another.
As it turns out, this phenomenon is not completely unknown among twins.
Twins are known to form extraordinarily close bonds with one another, sometimes even resulting in secret languages.
Although unique, these occurrences are often referred to as cryptophasia or idioglossia. In any event, the phenomenon is common enough to occur in nearly 50% of twins, whether fraternal or identical! For the most part, these primitive “languages” consist of mirrored sounds and gestures—though some theorize that if they go unchecked, they could develop much more.
Above all, though, the video is an adorable reminder of the intense bond between siblings.
Although it can be hard to learn all the things we need to know to be adults, these two twins at least have one another to lean on throughout the process. Thankfully, dad was rolling the camera during this precious moment to share it with the rest of the world!
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