Final answer:
The semantic language or substantive word stage usually occurs around the age of 18 months to 2 years when children begin to use words meaningfully to refer to objects and events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The semantic language or substantive word stage typically occurs around the age of 18 months to 2 years. This period is when a child starts to use words to refer to objects with meaning and intention. The child's early vocabulary during this stage is usually limited and is often related to familiar objects or events, predominantly nouns. For example, the use of the word 'cookie' by a child could mean recognition of a ‘cookie’ or a request to receive a ‘cookie.’ As they approach 2 years old, toddlers begin to have a vocabulary that ranges between 50 to 200 words. By the age of 3, they may have a vocabulary of up to 1,000 words and start to speak in sentences. Language development then continues to increase, and by the age of 5, a child's vocabulary typically reaches at least 1,500 words, with the ability to produce sentences of at least five to seven words and to define words by their function.