Two year old can talk, but won't.. What to do?

[menw]

My roommate's 19-month-old son can talk, I KNOW he can, but he walks around all day babbling in his strange language. He does say "Please," "No," "Your mother," small things like that, but never full sentences. Earlier today, though, it was just me and his mom, and she was showing me old pictures of him on her camera. Without any prompting, he said, and in CLEAR WORDS, "What's this?" and pointed to the camera, then corrected himself and said, "What's that?"
Not having kids of my own yet, the first thing out of my mouth was, "I KNEW YOU COULD TALK!" which then caused him to throw one of his patented tantrums (which consists of him falling dramatically to the ground and scooting across the floor).
Since then, he won't talk at all around me, but is responding more clearly to things I say (such as "Can you hand me that?" or "Pick that up, please.")
So my question is, how can I get him to continue to talk in complete sentences?

[augustus]

He's probably talking a lot more then you realize. My daughter speaks nonsense according to so many people, but I understand her perfectly. Just because you aren't getting what he's saying doesn't mean he isn't saying it. He's still very young so it'll take him time to clearly enunciate the words, but he's getting there. I even have to translate for my husband a lot.

Maybe he's uncomfortable around you, doesn't like being called out for his very new ability. Although resilient, toddlers can be very sensitive. Try to give him a break and let his mother deal with his speaking if she thinks it's an issue.

[elkan80]

Generally speaking... 19 month olds do not speak in complete sentences. I'd stop pressuring the kid.

[torin7]

He is a two year old , he is still learning how to talk.

[breasal]

try sitting and playing with him ,, or get his favourite toy or a toy he really likes nd ask him what it is or if it has a name (if tis a teddy) ask him questions about him , like do you like bob the builder etc ask him what he likes and things, ask if he wants you to play with him or i he wants to draw a picture with you , eventually if you start asking about him he iwll get used to speaking to you and will start talking around you again, he may have been startled or embaressed or something when you said that,, kids that age like to feel like big kids not babies still they like to think they can do everything hence why they try to do basically everythin