lallation

Lallation is a term used in linguistics and speech-language pathology to describe an early stage of speech development characterized by repetitive syllables and rudimentary articulations in infants. It typically occurs as part of prelinguistic vocalization and lies between cooing and true word usage. Lallation features repetitive consonant-vowel sequences, such as reduplication (ba-ba, da-da) and later varied combinations (ba-da-ga). This stage serves as practice for articulatory control and phonotactic experimentation, enabling infants to explore sound production and intonation patterns.

Age and progression: Lallation commonly emerges around 6 to 9 months of age, with reduplicated forms appearing first. By roughly 9 to 12 months, children often transition to variegated or canonical babbling, and true words begin to appear around the first year. Not all children show identical patterns, and exposure to language, hearing status, and bilingual development can influence the pace and style of lallation.

Clinical significance: In typical development, lallation is a normal precursor to speech. Atypical patterns—such as persistently limited babbling beyond 12 to 15 months, absence of canonical babbling, or severe delays in vocal development—may prompt evaluation by a speech-language pathologist to assess potential speech sound disorders, hearing impairment, or other developmental concerns. Early stimulation through responsive language interaction can support progression toward meaningful speech.

See also: babbling, prelinguistic vocalization, language development, speech sound disorder.