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Home > T > TELEGRAPHIC SPEECH
T

TELEGRAPHIC SPEECH

By N., Sam M.S.

1. concentrated or abbreviated speech wherein only the most central terms, postulating the greeted level of data, are stated. Nouns and verbs are commonly present, while adverbs, adjectives, connective parts of speech, and articles are left out. 2. the speech of kids roughly between the ages of eighteen and thirty months, that is generally in the shape of two-word expressions. This speech is telegraphic because it utilizes just the most germane and significant aspects of language, passing over prepositions, articles, and other ancillary terms 3. the speech of kids about twenty-four to thirty months of age which forms after the two-word statement and is marked by brief but multi-word expressions.

Telegraphic speech in psychology

Early language learners sometimes remove grammatical components like articles, prepositions, and auxiliary verbs when forming short, two- or three-word phrases, a stage known as "telegraphic speech." This speech pattern, which resembles the abbreviated style of a telegram, marks a significant turning point in a child's linguistic development since it indicates their capacity to communicate complex ideas with a small vocabulary.

Importance (in development)

In a child's linguistic and cognitive development, telegraphic speech is extremely important. It signifies the shift from one-word statements to linguistic patterns that are more complex, enabling kids to communicate more complicated ideas and participate in more sophisticated social interactions.

The emergence of grammatical comprehension is highlighted at this stage of language development when a kid can combine words based on the fundamental grammar rules of their native tongue. Additionally, the development of other crucial skills, including reading and writing, is based on telegraphic communication.

At What Age Does Telegraphic Speech Begin?

Telegraphic speech Between 18 and 24 months of age is when telegraphic speech often starts, though this might vary depending on a child's exposure to language and their own particular unique features in language development. Several important developments are present throughout this crucial phase of language learning, including:

A. Rapid Vocabulary Expansion: During the telegraphic speech stage, children experience a significant increase in the number of words they understand and use.

B. Syntactic Complexity: As children enter the telegraphic speech phase, they start to experiment with different word combinations and develop a basic understanding of syntax.

C. Conveying Meaning: With the emergence of telegraphic speech, children become more adept at using language to convey their thoughts, needs, and desires.

D. Individual Variability: It is important to note that the exact age at which telegraphic speech begins can vary widely among children, as factors such as individual developmental rates, exposure to language input, and cultural influences can all impact language acquisition.

E. Language Milestone: The onset of telegraphic speech is a significant language milestone, marking the transition from single-word utterances to more complex and meaningful communication.

Examples

Telegraphic speech, when the child omits grammatical parts like "the," "a," and auxiliary verbs like "is," "am," but nevertheless conveys the intended meaning, including expressions like "me want cookie," "daddy go," and "doggy big." Children who are still honing their language abilities eventually use completely formed sentences as a result of the gradual introduction of more complex grammar into their speech.

References:

Brown, R. (1973). A First Language: The Early Stages. Harvard University Press. DOI: 10.4159/harvard.9780674732469

Fenson, L., Dale, P. S., Reznick, J. S., Bates, E., Thal, D. J., & Pethick, S. J. (1994). Variability in early communicative development. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 59(5), 1-185. DOI: 10.2307/1166093

Bloom, L. (1970). Language development: Form and function in emerging grammars. MIT Press.

Pinker, S. (1994). The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language. Harper Perennial Modern Classics. https://books.google.com.ph/books/about/The_Language_Instinct.html?id=0OFrAAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y

Chomsky, N. (1957). Syntactic Structures. Mouton & Co. DOI: 10.1515/9783112316009

Snow, C. E., Burns, M. S., & Griffin, P. (Eds.). (1998). Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children. National Academies Press. DOI: 10.17226/6023

Cite this page: N., Sam M.S., "TELEGRAPHIC SPEECH," in PsychologyDictionary.org, April 29, 2013, https://psychologydictionary.org/telegraphic-speech/ (accessed May 13, 2026).
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By N., Sam M.S.
Sam holds a masters in Child Psychology and is an avid supporter of Psychology academics.
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