Telegraphic speech refers to a form of communication commonly used by young children as they are developing their language skills. It involves speaking in short, simple phrases, usually comprised of only the most important words needed to convey a message. These 2-3 word phrases exclude non-essential parts of speech, such as articles, prepositions, and auxiliary verbs. Telegraphic speech sounds like telegrams, where brevity was valued and filler words were left out to save time and cost.
Telegraphic speech is an important phase in speech development. It emerges once children have progressed past the babbling and single-word stages, typically between 18-24 months. As children’s vocabularies grow and their cognitive abilities become more sophisticated, their sentences gradually become longer and more complex, including a wider range of grammatical structures. Telegraphic speech is a natural and expected stage of language development that signifies a child is learning to communicate their thoughts and needs effectively.
Over the last decade, research has concluded that modeling telegraphic speech with children beyond this phase of language development may hinder them from making grammatical progress. This warrants reflection for therapeutic intervention, especially among autistic populations.
Key Takeaways
- Telegraphic speech is a typical stage in children’s language development involving short and simple phrases.
- It is characterized by the omission of non-essential words, mirroring the concise nature of a telegram.
- The evolution from telegraphic speech to more complex sentences indicates growth in a child’s communication skills.
- Using telegraphic speech models beyond this phase of development may hinder grammatical progress.
Understanding Telegraphic Speech
In this section, you’ll learn about the concise form of communication known as telegraphic speech, which is critical in early language development.
Definition and Characteristics
Telegraphic speech refers to the two-word phrases that children begin to use when they start speaking. This form of speech is typically observed in toddlers around the age of 18 to 24 months. It is characterized by the omission of non-essential words, leaving only the most important words to convey a message. The name “telegraphic” draws from the way telegrams were written, omitting unnecessary words to save costs.
Examples of telegraphic speech:
- “Want cookie” instead of “I want a cookie.”
- “See dog” rather than “I can see the dog.”
- “Mommy up” to shorten “Mommy, pick me up.”
Characteristics include:
- Omission of articles: “a,” “the.”
- Skipping auxiliary verbs: “is,” “can.”
- Leaving out prepositions: “to,” “for.”
It is a critical stage that signifies growing comprehension and the ability to express core ideas.
Role in Language Development
Telegraphic speech plays an important role in your child’s language development. This stage demonstrates that they are beginning to understand sentence structure and the concept of grammar. While their sentences are simple and lack the complexity of adult speech, this phase is fundamental for practicing communication and building vocabulary.
Your child’s ability to convey basic needs and thoughts through telegraphic speech serves as the foundation for more complex sentences. Over time, as their cognitive and linguistic abilities advance, they will start incorporating more words into their speech for clarity, eventually developing grammar and fluency that mirrors adult speech.
Progression to Full Sentences
The shift from telegraphic speech to full sentences can be expected to occur between ages two and three. Progression is evidenced by:
- Sentence Expansion: Telegraphic speech will gradually include more words and vital sentence components.
- Grammar Introduction: Use of prepositions, conjunctions, and articles starts to become apparent in the child’s speech.
- Complexity: The sentences grow in complexity, reflecting a better understanding of language structure.
By the age of three, most children are capable of constructing simple, multi-word sentences that adhere to the rules of grammar more closely. In summary, telegraphic speech is essential for enabling children to communicate effectively and serves as a building block for their ongoing language learning journey.
Encouraging Language Growth
Supporting language development in children is crucial, especially when they begin to use telegraphic speech, which typically consists of two-word phrases. As you foster this developmental stage, be proactive and patient, providing plenty of opportunities for language use.
Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
Talk to Your Child: Engage in regular conversation with your child using simple sentences. This exposes them to the structure and rhythm of language.
- Read Together: Shared book reading can introduce new vocabulary and sentence structures. Eliminate non-essential words while reading to reinforce telegraphic speech patterns.
- Simplify Your Speech: Use clear, concise language when communicating with your 18-24 month old. This makes it easier for them to imitate and learn.
Listen and Respond: When your child uses telegraphic speech, reinforce their efforts by listening and expanding on their phrases. For example, if your child says “more juice,” you might respond with “You want more juice? Here is your juice.”
- Play Language Games:
- Matching Games: Connect words to pictures or objects to build vocabulary.
- Role-Playing: Act out scenes with figures or dolls to practice different scenarios.
- Seek and Find: Hide mini objects in plastic eggs/ boxes and model an action to go with the object like “car go.”
When to Seek Professional Help
Monitor Development: Keep an eye on your child’s speech milestones. If you notice a significant delay or lack of progress in language development, consider consulting a professional. A speech pathologist can provide a thorough evaluation of your child’s language abilities and create a tailored speech therapy plan if needed.
Recognize Signs: Difficulty in following simple instructions, limited vocabulary, or lack of two-word phrases by a particular age might warrant professional advice.
Early Intervention: The earlier you seek help, the better the outcomes for your child’s language development. Speech therapy often plays a key role in supporting and accelerating language growth.
Research
While telegraphic speech is a typical phase in language development, research suggests that we should not continue modeling this speech when working with children who have language delays.
One study in 2014 by Shelly Bredin-Oja and Mark Fey of the Kansas Medical Center concluded that “providing a telegraphic prompt to imitate does not offer any advantage as an intervention technique.” Another study by Courtney Venker suggested that parents using higher rates of telegraphic speech with their autistic children negatively impacted these children from developing language skills two years later. These findings reveal that using telegraphic speech with children beyond this phase may hinder grammatical language development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Telegraphic speech is a normal phase in linguistic development where children communicate using short and simple constructions. This phase typically excludes unnecessary words, making the speech sound abrupt, much like an old-fashioned telegram.
Do all toddlers use telegraphic speech?
Yes, toddlers often begin to use telegraphic speech when they are between 18 to 24 months old. It marks an important phase in language development.
How does telegraphic speech manifest in children with autism?
In children with autism, telegraphic speech may manifest similarly to their peers but can extend beyond the typical age range. These children may particularly omit function words and might rely on this mode of speech for longer as they develop language skills at different rates.
How is telegraphic speech addressed in a psychological context?
Psychologists consider telegraphic speech a natural and expected stage in language acquisition. It serves as an indicator of typical cognitive and language development and is not usually a cause for concern unless it persists beyond the expected age range alongside other delays.
Nanette Cote is an ASHA certified speech pathologist, published author, and private practice business owner with 30 years experience.
