Direct answer:
Most babies begin to say their first simple words around 12 to 18 months, and many start combining words a bit after that. By 18 months, many toddlers know about 10–20 words and can point to or name familiar people and objects. However, language development varies widely, and some babies may start earlier or later. If a child isn’t using any words by 15 months or isn’t making expected progress by 2 years, it’s a good idea to talk with a pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist for an evaluation. Guidance on milestones and what to watch for:

• Birth to 6 months: babies make a variety of sounds (cooing, laughter) and respond to sounds and voices. They begin to associate sounds with people and objects. Regular chatting with your baby helps language learning.
• 6 to 12 months: babbling increases, imitates sounds, and starts to use gestures (pointing, waving) to express needs or interest. They may say a few simple syllables like “ba” or “da.”
• 12 to 18 months: first real words emerge (like “mama,” “dada,” simple objects or people names). They understand many more words than they can say and may follow simple commands.
• 18 to 24 months: vocabulary grows quickly (often 50+ words), starts combining two words into simple phrases like “more juice” or “mommy go.” They understand more complex language and can follow simple directions.

What you can do to support language development:

• Talk often with narration: describe what you’re doing and label objects and actions.
• Read together daily and ask questions, pausing for your child’s response.
• Encourage imitation and vocal play (rhymes, songs, animal sounds).
• Use clear, simple speech and give your child time to respond.
• Provide plenty of face-to-face time and minimize background noise when you’re talking.
• Watch for any red flags and discuss concerns with a pediatrician, such as: no babbling or pointing by 12 months, no single words by 16 months, or no 2-word phrases by 24 months, persistent difficulties understanding simple instructions, or signs of social communication challenges.

If you’d like, I can tailor a simple week-by-week activity plan to support language development at your child’s current age.