Which term describes mimicking someone's speech?

• A. Echolalia
• B. Palilalia
• C. Clanging
• D. Neologism

Answer: (A)

Echolalia is the repetition or imitation of another person's speech. It can occur immediately, repeating words right after hearing them, or with a delay, repeating later. This pattern is seen in various developmental and neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, and can serve functions like processing language, maintaining social interaction, or signaling needs in some contexts.

Palilalia involves repeating one's own words or syllables, not someone else’s speech, so it isn’t about mimicking others. Clanging refers to speech organized by sound, such as rhyming or rhythm, rather than content, and neologism is the creation of new, invented words.