Lexicality and frequency in specific language impairment: accuracy and error data from two nonword repetition tests

Jones, G ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3867-9947, Tamburelli, M, Watson, SE, Gobet, F and Pine, JM, 2010. Lexicality and frequency in specific language impairment: accuracy and error data from two nonword repetition tests. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 53 (6), pp. 1642-1655. ISSN 1092-4388

Preview

Text 201587_7147 Jones Postprint.pdf Download (367kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose: Deficits in phonological working memory and deficits in phonological processing have both been considered potential explanatory factors in Specific Language Impairment (SLI). Manipulations of the lexicality and phonotactic frequency of nonwords enable contrasting predictions to be derived from these hypotheses. Method: 18 typically developing (TD) children and 18 children with SLI completed an assessment battery that included tests of language ability, non-verbal intelligence, and two nonword repetition tests that varied in lexicality and frequency. Results: Repetition accuracy showed that children with SLI were unimpaired for short and simple high lexicality nonwords, whereas clear impairments were shown for all low lexicality nonwords. For low lexicality nonwords, greater repetition accuracy was seen for nonwords constructed from high over low frequency phoneme sequences. Children with SLI made the same proportion of errors that substituted a nonsense syllable for a lexical item as TD children, and this was stable across nonword length. Conclusions: The data show support for a phonological processing deficit in children with SLI, where long-term lexical and sub-lexical phonological knowledge mediate the interpretation of nonwords. However, the data also suggest that while phonological processing may provide a key explanation of SLI, a full account is likely to be multi-faceted.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
Creators:	Jones, G., Tamburelli, M., Watson, S.E., Gobet, F. and Pine, J.M.
Publisher:	American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Date:	2010
Volume:	53
Number:	6
ISSN:	1092-4388
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1044/1092-4388(2010/09-0222) DOI
Rights:	Copyright © 2010 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 10:21
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2017 13:27
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11773

Actions (login required)

Edit View

Statistics

Views

Downloads