Which one-word expression is an example of a holophrase?

Which one-word expression is an example of a holophrase?

• A. mama
• B. baba
• C. papa's doing
• D. I better go

Answer: (B)

A holophrase is a single word that a child uses to express a complete thought or request, with the meaning understood from context and tone rather than the word itself. Among the options, the single-word expression that best fits this idea is baba. In early speech, such a word can stand for a whole message—like “Dad is here” or “I want Dad”—even though only one word is spoken. The other options either form phrases or sentences (papa's doing, I better go) or are more commonly used as labels rather than conveying a full idea on their own. While mama can also function as a holophrase in some contexts, baba is the clearest example of a single word carrying a complete message in typical child language.

A holophrase is a single word that a child uses to express a complete thought or request, with the meaning understood from context and tone rather than the word itself.

Among the options, the single-word expression that best fits this idea is baba. In early speech, such a word can stand for a whole message—like “Dad is here” or “I want Dad”—even though only one word is spoken. The other options either form phrases or sentences (papa's doing, I better go) or are more commonly used as labels rather than conveying a full idea on their own. While mama can also function as a holophrase in some contexts, baba is the clearest example of a single word carrying a complete message in typical child language.