The term “holophrase” is used to denote: Othe use of two words to take the place of one. O a word that is empty of meaning. the infant’s use of one word to express a whole thought. O the relationship of object permanence to language development.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
The infant’s use of one word to express a whole thought.
Explanation:
A holophrase is a single word used by an infant to convey a complete thought or idea. During early language development, typically between 12 and 18 months of age, children use single words to express broader meanings or intentions. For instance, when an infant says “milk,” it could mean “I want milk,” “There is milk,” or “I spilled the milk,” depending on the context.
Key Features of Holophrastic Speech:
- Context Dependency: The meaning of a holophrase is heavily reliant on the situation and the tone of the child’s voice. Adults or caregivers usually interpret the intended meaning based on contextual clues.
- Combination of Meaning and Emotion: A holophrase often carries both a specific meaning and an emotional tone. For example, a child saying “up” might express both a desire to be lifted and an emotional need for attention.
- Precursor to Sentence Formation: Holophrases represent the early stages of syntactic development, where children begin to connect words to specific concepts or actions. As their language skills progress, they start combining words to form simple phrases or sentences.
Relationship to Cognitive Development:
The use of holophrases reflects the infant’s growing understanding of the world and the ability to associate words with objects, actions, or desires. This stage is closely linked to object permanence, which is the realization that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible. For example, when a child says “ball” while looking for a hidden ball, it demonstrates both cognitive and linguistic progress.
In summary, holophrases are a significant milestone in language acquisition, marking the transition from prelinguistic communication to more complex language use. They demonstrate the infant’s ability to convey thoughts and engage with their environment using language.