Stages of Language Development

1) Cooing
2) Babbling


3)Holophrastic- one word utterances 12-18 months

• One word can have many meanings:
• Established through intonation, and varying volume ( and paralinguistic features) 
• Semantic understanding 5x greater than their personal vocabulary

4) Two-word phase 18 months

• Introduction of grammar into child speech
• Syntax- begin using pronouns ( + possessives), determiners, prepositions, adjectives
• Basic rules of grammar- e.g. 'my bed'; not 'bed my'- Chomsky UG
• Meaning of utterances relies heavily on context

5) Telegrapic 2-2.5 years

• 3-4 words per utterance
• Omission of grammar; definite articles, conjuctions,

6) Post-telegraphic 3 onwards

• Independently produce intteorgatives
• Use features of adult speech- contractions