Relations among language exposure, phonological memory, and language development in Spanish-English bilingually developing 2-year-olds.
The relation of phonological memory to language experience and development was investigated in 41 Spanish-English bilingual first language learners. The children's relative exposure to English and Spanish and their phonological memory for English- and Spanish-like nonwords were assessed at 22 months of age, and their productive vocabulary and grammar in both languages were assessed at 25 months of age. Phonological memory for English-like nonwords was highly correlated with that for Spanish-like nonwords, and each was related to vocabulary and grammar in both languages, suggesting a language-general component to phonological memory skill. In addition, there was evidence of language-specific benefits of language exposure to phonological memory skill and of language-specific benefits of phonological memory skill to language development.
Parra
Marisol
M
Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL 33314, USA. mparra3@fau.edu
Hoff
Erika
E
Core
Cynthia
C
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D019303:Multilingualism; D013060:Speech