Final answer:
Two-year-old Claudia is demonstrating telegraphic speech by saying, "Me, down," a form of speech that is characterized by short and practical words that convey significant meaning. Telegraphic speech reflects her developing language abilities and is influenced by the social environment in which language learning occurs.
Step-by-step explanation:
When two-year-old Claudia says, "Me, down," to her mother, indicating that she has finished her dinner and wants to get out of her high chair to play, she is displaying telegraphic speech. This form of speech is common among toddlers, where they use short and precise words that omit less critical parts of the sentence but still convey the essential meaning. This stage typically follows the one-word stage of language development, with Claudia's vocabulary likely including other short phrases or simple two-word sentences that express her needs or describe her surroundings. Such expressions demonstrate her growing ability to communicate effectively, even with a limited vocabulary.
Social Environment and Language Development
Language development in children is strongly influenced by their social environment. For instance, the context in which children learn language can involve a range of characters, including relatives, neighbors, and others around them. This exposure helps babies and toddlers to learn by witnessing and overhearing language use in various social contexts. Instead of directly teaching babies, many cultures rely on immersive environments where language is a natural part of daily life, allowing children like Claudia to pick up on language cues and develop their speech organically.