Which stage is characterized by two to three word utterances with content words only, omitting function words?

Which stage is characterized by two to three word utterances with content words only, omitting function words?

• A. Holophrastic stage; single words
• B. Canonical babbling; repeated syllables
• C. Variegated babbling; varied syllables
• D. Telegraphic stage; two to three word utterances with content words only, omitting function words

Answer: (D)

Early two-word to three-word utterances that drop function words show the child is using telegraphic speech. This stage focuses on the meaningful content words—nouns, verbs, and adjectives—while leaving out small, grammatical words like the, is, and, or to, which makes the speech resemble a telegram. It reflects a deliberate simplification as children bundle essential meaning into short phrases, typically around the second year of life. Holophrastic speech comes first, with a single word signaling a broader intention, while canonical and variegated babbling are prelexical vocalizations rather than actual word combinations.

Early two-word to three-word utterances that drop function words show the child is using telegraphic speech. This stage focuses on the meaningful content words—nouns, verbs, and adjectives—while leaving out small, grammatical words like the, is, and, or to, which makes the speech resemble a telegram. It reflects a deliberate simplification as children bundle essential meaning into short phrases, typically around the second year of life. Holophrastic speech comes first, with a single word signaling a broader intention, while canonical and variegated babbling are prelexical vocalizations rather than actual word combinations.