The Language of Toddlers

Griffin is a full fledged toddler now. He is not afraid to ask for what he wants. While he has a rapidly expanding vocabulary, it isn’t always easy to make out his words. I seem to have the most luck with deciphering his toddlerese – just based on my constant exposure to his budding language.

But beware if you have some difficulty translating toddler language with Griffin. He takes it as a personal insult, not only to his language skills, but to your own intelligence. Instead of leaving it be when a person fails to grasp what he is trying to say, he yells the same word over and over, louder and louder until you translate it accurately. The whole time he is screaming at you, he shakes his head back and forth, almost like he is shocked by your sheer stupidity in not understanding him. He reminds me of a tourist in a foreign speaking land, speaking louder and louder, insistent that you WILL understand him, even if it takes both VOLUME and countless repetition. He will not let it go. He will not give up. You must understand him to make it end.

This morning, Griffin was frustrated by my inability to translate his morning greeting.

“dancak.” He yells to me when I kiss him good morning.

“Daddy?” I say back smiling, “He’s in the kitchen.”

“Noooooo, dancake!” Griffin responds shaking his head.

“Honey, I have no idea what you are saying to me.” I reply kissing him.

Griffin gives me almost an eye roll and then proceeds to yell over and over, louder and louder, “Dancak! Dancak! DANCAK. DANCAK! DANCAK!!!!!!!” as we walk down the stairs.

We reach the kitchen where Chris greets us and quickly says to Griffin, “Pancakes?”

“Yes!” Griffin shouts triumphantly and shoots me a quick look of disdain. “Dancake!”

Oh, pancakes! I guess I still need some work on my toddler translation skills.