babble word

• babble-word

babble word (plural babble words)

1. A phonemically basic word, one which is easy for small children to pronounce and which therefore tends to be produced by them early on (for example, mama).

   Synonym: Lallwort

   Holonyms: babble, child language, childspeak; baby talk (child-directed speech)

   • 1974, Philip Barker, The residential psychiatric treatment of children, page 209:

     The first primitive bi-syllabic babble words of the 'mama', 'dada', 'baba' variety are the product of a near approximation of simple words in the language environment, and are reinforced by delighted parental response.

   • 1986, Sandra Marie Schneiders, Women and the Word: The Gender of God in the New Testament, →ISBN:

     Jesus called God "Abba," a word that originated as a "babble word" originally used by little children but later adopted as an affectionate and respectful way by which adult children also spoke to their fathers.

   • 2010, When You Pray: Daily Practices for Prayerful Living, →ISBN:

     As such a babble word, it really translates into English as "papa" or "dada" or some other equivalent. Every language has these little words that children use before they can really speak, […]

   • 2011, Samantha Ettus, The Experts' Guide to the Baby Years, →ISBN:

     Label the bear “Teddy” aloud to confirm his babble word. Smile and express your pride as you bring over Teddy.