James wants a new toy. He says, "James toy". He is using: A. short sentences B. telegraphic speech. C. baby talk. D. holophrastic speech.
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the options:
A. Short sentences: Short sentences generally refer to sentences that are concise and brief, often consisting of only a few words. In the given statement, "James toy," there is only one word, which does fit the definition of a short sentence.
B. Telegraphic speech: Telegraphic speech refers to a stage in language development where children only use essential words to convey their message, similar to how telegrams used to be concise. In the given statement, "James toy," only the necessary words are used to express the desire for a toy, which aligns with telegraphic speech.
C. Baby talk: Baby talk, also known as infant-directed speech or caretaker speech, involves adults speaking to infants using simplified language and exaggerated intonation patterns. While the given statement is simple, it does not exhibit the characteristic exaggerated intonation or simplified language associated with baby talk.
D. Holophrastic speech: Holophrastic speech is a stage of language development where a single word is used to convey a larger meaning, acting as a whole phrase or sentence. In the given statement, "James toy," a single word ("James") is used as a proper noun, and another word ("toy") is used to express a desire. This aligns with the concept of holophrastic speech.
Considering the options, the best answer is B. telegraphic speech, as it accurately reflects the use of short, essential words to convey a message, which is displayed in the given statement "James toy."