SVO

I keep forgetting to blog about Benjamin's communicative advances. Before his nap today, for example, he told me: "Maman cherche minou" (Maman look for [in this case "get"] kitty). (And no, the kitty in question was not Lutèce, but a plush toy.) He is able to make subject + verb + object sentences more and more—and they are often orders (no big surprise seeing that he is 20 months going on 2½ years).

A month or so ago, while having lunch with his babysitter and her family, Benjamin was heard to declare "I like this!" before adding a typical "Mo'?" (More?). Apparently Miss Angel makes delicious chicken salad (guess I should get her recipe). But that was the only use of "I" heard until lunch today when he proclaimed what sounded like "I like pizza!" (His papa had just given him a little piece of mushroom pizza—this child loves mushrooms, we'll see if that lasts.) I suspect that he has no grasp on the pronoun "I" but instead is mimicking his verbally advanced playmate Lucia (who is exactly a year older than him). I am fairly sure I have heard her declare "I like this!" Though, of course, today Benjamin replaced the "this" with "pizza." I have yet to hear him use the French "je."

-maman