Holophrasis

Holophrasis

Holophrasis is the prelinguistic use of a single word to express a complex idea. A holophrase may resemble an interjection, but whereas an interjection is linguistic, and has a specific grammatical function, a holophrase is simply a vocalization memorized by rote and used without grammatical intent.

Young children pass through a holophrastic stage early in life, during which they are able to communicate complex ideas using only single words and simple fixed expressions. As an example, the word "food" might be used to mean "Give me food" and the word "up" could convey "Pick me up".

Combined with body language, context, and tone of voice, holophrasis is usually sufficient to express a child's needs. Indeed, it is based almost entirely on context.

One interesting feature of holophrasis is its economy, and its emphasis on certainty rather than conceptual completeness. When expressing a complex idea, a child will often omit the more familiar concepts and use only the most recently-learned word. For instance, when requesting a ball, a child is far more likely to specify "ball" than "want".

Although holophrasis is non-grammatical, it forms the foundation of a child's vocabulary.

Native American Languages

According to early twentieth century polymath (and reported speaker of forty languages), William James Sidis, all native American languages hold a "holophrastic structure" [(via: http://www.sidis.net/TSChap2.htm) The Tribes And The States: 100,000-Year History of North America]

Source

* [http://bowland-files.lancs.ac.uk/chimp/langac/LECTURE3/3one.htm One word Communication]

References


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  • holophrasis — /heuh lof reuh sis/, n., pl. holophrases / seez /. the expression of the ideas of a phrase or sentence in one word; polysynthesis: a language characterized by holophrasis. [1865 70; HOLO + Gk phrásis; see PHRASE] * * * …   Universalium

  • holophrasis — noun The use of a single word to convey a complex idea …   Wiktionary

  • holophrasis — ho·loph·ra·sis …   English syllables

  • holophrasis — …   Useful english dictionary

  • holophrastic — /hol euh fras tik, hoh leuh /, adj. 1. using or consisting of a single word that functions as a phrase or sentence. 2. characterized by holophrasis; polysynthetic: a holophrastic language. [1855 60; HOLO + phrastic; see PERIPHRASTIC] * * * …   Universalium

  • holophrastic — adjective a) Consisting of a single word, such as Go. or Whatever. b) Pertaining to the stage of development where a child produces simple one word utterances. See Also: holophrasis …   Wiktionary

  • holophrase —   n. single word expressing complex idea.    ♦ holophrasis, n. use of holophrase.    ♦ holophrastic, a …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • holophrase — ˈhaləˌfrāz, ˈhōl noun Etymology: hol + phrase : a single word expressing a complex of ideas; also : holophrasis …   Useful english dictionary

  • holophrastic — | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|frastik adjective Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary hol + phrastic (from Greek phrastikos expressive, from phrazein to express) more at phrase : of or relating to holophrasis : equivalent to a whole phrase : expressing a… …   Useful english dictionary

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