The effect of incremental changes in phonotactic probability and neighborhood density on word learning by preschool children
Issue Date
2013Author
Storkel, Holly L.
Bontempo, Daniel E.
Aschenbrenner, Andrew J.
Maekawa, Junko
Lee, Su-Yeon
Publisher
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Type
Article
Article Version
Scholarly/refereed, author accepted manuscript
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Purpose. Phonotactic probability or neighborhood density have predominately been defined using gross distinctions (i.e., low vs. high). The current studies examined the influence of finer changes in probability (Experiment 1) and density (Experiment 2) on word learning.Method. The full range of probability or density was examined by sampling five nonwords from each of four quartiles. Three- and 5-year-old children received training on nonword-nonobject pairs. Learning was measured in a picture-naming task immediately following training and 1-week after training. Results were analyzed using multi-level modeling.Results. A linear spline model best captured nonlinearities in phonotactic probability. Specifically word learning improved as probability increased in the lowest quartile, worsened as probability increased in the midlow quartile, and then remained stable and poor in the two highest quartiles. An ordinary linear model sufficiently described neighborhood density. Here, word learning improved as density increased across all quartiles.Conclusion. Given these different patterns, phonotactic probability and neighborhood density appear to influence different word learning processes. Specifically, phonotactic probability may affect recognition that a sound sequence is an acceptable word in the language and is a novel word for the child, whereas neighborhood density may influence creation of a new representation
in long-term memory.
Description
This is the author's accepted manuscript. The original publication is available at http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=1797302
Collections
Citation
Storkel, H. L., D. E. Bontempo, A. J. Aschenbrenner, J. Maekawa, and S.-Y. Lee. "The Effect of Incremental Changes in Phonotactic Probability and Neighborhood Density on Word Learning by Preschool Children." Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 56.5 (2013): 1689-700. http://dx.doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2013/12-0245).
Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.