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Glite Dictionary
palilalia

palilalia

9.9
Repeats words or short phrases quickly without trying
  • noun
  • /ˌpælɪˈleɪliə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : palilalia
  • There might be more involved echophenomena: echolalia (repeating others), palilalia (repeating self), or coprolalia (repeating unacceptable words and obscenities).

Examples

  • The speech therapist worked with the child to manage the palilalia that caused him to echo his own statements during conversations.

  • During the therapy session, the doctor noted the patient's palilalia as she repeatedly said the same phrases without realizing it.

  • Patients with palilalia can involuntarily repeat their own words, often unaware of their actions.

Synonyms

cataphasia
vspalilalia
  • Specialized
9.9

Saying the same word again and again while speaking

is rapid involuntary repetition of words or phrases rather than single-word loops
perseveration
vspalilalia
  • Specialized
9.9

Repeatedly saying or doing the same thing even when you cannot stop

is rapid and speech-focused repetition rather than broad persistent repetition

Surface Forms

palilalia singular
palilalias plural

Morphology

palilalia = palin + lalia

Formed from Greek combining forms 'palin' (again) + 'lalia' (speech) that are not standalone English words, so the meaning is not transparently derivable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Palilalia comes from Greek parts pali- meaning 'again' and -lalia meaning 'speech'. So, palilalia literally means 'repeated speech', which is why it names the condition when a person involuntarily repeats words or phrases.