Baby talk to me

my lo is now 16 month old, but still talks gibberish. We talk to him everyday and even he is not interested we still talk. He can understand us, by following instructions and when asked sometimes he responds with gestures. But haven't hear him say a word. Is this ok? BTW, when he was born he had a tongue tie release procedure. Could this be the reason? Is there anyone here who also experience/experiencing the same? I am pressured by the people around us, always asking why he can't speak yet..