What distinct feature defines utterances during the telegraphic stage?

The telegraphic stage of language acquisition occurs typically around the age of two to three years, during which children begin to produce speech that primarily consists of two-word combinations or short phrases. The defining characteristic of utterances in this stage is their conciseness. These phrases often contain only the essential words needed to convey a message, omitting non-essential elements like articles, prepositions, and auxiliary verbs. This stage resembles telegrams, which only include the most critical information without superfluous detail, hence the name "telegraphic."

For instance, a child might say "want cookie" instead of "I want a cookie." This focus on the core meaning helps children communicate effectively while they are still developing their language skills. The other options, such as long, complex sentences or the use of imaginative language, do not accurately represent the nature of speech in the telegraphic stage, as children at this point are not yet capable of structuring more advanced or creative language.