English

Alternative forms

• babble-word

Noun

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); a babble word.
   • 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 0809128020):

     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 1426730802):

     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 0307484483):

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

Synonyms

• Lallwort

Translations