Final answer:
In the context of language development, a sound or gesture begins to have the same meaning for parents as it does for a child when they engage in shared referential communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of language development, a sound or gesture begins to have the same meaning for parents as it does for a child when they engage in shared referential communication.
Shared referential communication refers to situations where a parent and child use gestures or vocalizations to refer to a specific object or event. For example, if a child points to a toy and makes a sound, and the parent responds by saying the word 'toy', both the parent and child understand that the sound and gesture refer to the toy.
This shared understanding develops through repeated interactions and the baby's ability to recognize and imitate the sounds and gestures used by their parents.