Which stage is characterized by telegraphic speech such as 'Mama sit down' and 'Papa's doing'?

Which stage is characterized by telegraphic speech such as 'Mama sit down' and 'Papa's doing'?

• A. Babbling
• B. Holophrase
• C. Telegraphic
• D. Almost adult-like

Answer: (C)

Telegraphic speech is when a child combines a few content words to express a thought while skipping small function words and more complex grammar. The examples “Mama sit down” and “Papa’s doing” fit this pattern because they convey a clear idea using essential words (subject + verb) but omit articles, auxiliary forms, and other linking words. This stage comes after the single-word holophrase phase and shows the child's growing ability to form short, meaningful combinations, even though grammar isn’t fully developed yet. The other terms don’t match because babbling isn’t real words yet, holophrase uses just one word for a whole thought, and almost adult-like would show much more complete and complex syntax.

Telegraphic speech is when a child combines a few content words to express a thought while skipping small function words and more complex grammar. The examples “Mama sit down” and “Papa’s doing” fit this pattern because they convey a clear idea using essential words (subject + verb) but omit articles, auxiliary forms, and other linking words. This stage comes after the single-word holophrase phase and shows the child's growing ability to form short, meaningful combinations, even though grammar isn’t fully developed yet. The other terms don’t match because babbling isn’t real words yet, holophrase uses just one word for a whole thought, and almost adult-like would show much more complete and complex syntax.