Idioglossia

Summary

An idioglossia (from the Ancient Greek ἴδιος ídios, 'own, personal, distinct' and γλῶσσα glôssa, 'tongue') is an idiosyncratic language invented and spoken by only one or two people. Most often, idioglossia refers to the "private languages" of young children, especially twins, the latter being more specifically known as cryptophasia, and commonly referred to as twin talk or twin speech.

Children who are exposed to multiple languages from birth are also inclined to create idioglossias, but these languages usually disappear at a relatively early age, giving way to use of one or more of the languages introduced.

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References edit

  1. ^ Moisse, Katie (March 30, 2011). "Babies Learn How Conversation Works Before They Learn Words". ABC News.

Further reading edit

  • Bakker, P. (April 1987). "Autonomous languages of twins". Acta Geneticae Medicae et Gemellologiae. 36 (2). Roma: 233–238. doi:10.1017/s0001566000004463. PMID 3434134.