First Words

Order of words:

For most babies, two of the first words are ma-ma and da-da (or pa-pa). As you read in the behavioral section of chapter 4, the order of acquisition is not based on the number of times a baby hears a word, or else one of the first words would be a, an, or the.

The (fictional) controversy over who is mama.

In cave times, children did not call their parents by pet names mama and papa/dada, they called their parents' by their handles when they were old enough to say them. Until then, babies would simply play with their voice until they grew into language. There came a time when sentimental parents across the valley would sit and stare adoringly at their child and argue over what the child was trying to say. When the first acquired sounds formed a pseudo-word, "ma-ma," both the parents were amazed at this and tried to claim inspiration.

Cave-daddy: I think he's talking about me. I think he wants to call me "Ma-ma." It's probably a pet name for me. He wants to grow up to be just like me.

Cave-mommy: I don't think so, it's his way of calling for me. I think he's saying my name because he wants me to sing him a song again.

The arguments continued until one night when the cave-baby was crying and needed attention.

"Ma-ma!" suddenly, papa is ready to agree that the baby must be talking about his mother.

Neither of them knew about the first 14 morphemes and that one of the first is "mmmm."