Use of cognitive state predicates by language-impaired children.
Two studies of the use of cognitive state predicates by children with specific language impairment (SLI) were conducted. Study I analysed longitudinal language samples collected from 26 children with SLI and 25 children with normal language (NL) development, aged 4;4 and 2;11, respectively, at Time I. Study II analysed samples from SLI children with more severe delays at an earlier language stage. There were 10 SLI children and 10 NL children, aged 4;11 and 2;8, respectively, matched by MLU. All cognitive state predicates were identified using both broad and narrow definitions. In Study 1, the SLI children used cognitive state predicates less frequently than their mental age peers, and with no greater frequency or variety than their younger, language peers. In Study II, children with SLI used more predicates referring to communication events, but there were no further group differences. These findings are discussed as they relate to two current psycholinguistic issues: the possible dissociation of grammar and the lexicon, and the role of language in the development of children's theory of mind.
Johnston
J R
JR
School of Audiology and Speech Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. jrj@audiospeech.ubc.ca
Miller
J
J
Tallal
P
P
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008037:Linguistics; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014825:Vocabulary