echolalia

Term: echolalia

Literally meaning: " speech echo”

Origin: Anc Greek

ήχος/echos(=echo) > ηχή/eche(=sound) >ακοή/achoe(=hearing)

+λαλώ/lalo(=speech)

Coined/History

   The word “echo” is a compining form of “echolalia” in comparison with  “echo” (ηχώ) meaning   the repetition of a sound by reflection of sound waves from a surface

  In Greek mythology Echo (Hχώ) was a nymph of Mountain,  daughter of Air and Earth. Due to her talkativeness, Echo was given the task to distract Zeus wife Hera so that Zeus could freely enjoy his love affairs with the other Nymphs. Until one day, Hera discovered Echo’s deceit and she cursed her with the voice of the echo “to only repeat the last words”.  Echo she felt in love with Narcissus, a very handsome young man who rejected her love. The grief killed Echo and her body became one with the mountain stone. All that remained was her voice which replied in kind when others spoke.

Definition

The abnormal involuntary repetition of another's speech indicating a neurological disfunction.