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Phonemic structures of delayed phonological systems*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2008

Judith A. Gierut*
Affiliation:
Indiana University
Christina L. Simmerman
Affiliation:
Indiana University
Heidi J. Neumann
Affiliation:
Indiana University
*
Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.

Abstract

The phonemic inventories of 30 children (aged 3;4–5;7) with phonological delays were examined in terms of featural distinctions in order to address universal vs. individual accounts of acquisition. Phonetic inventories of these same children were also identified for comparison purposes. Across children, four hierarchical and implicationally related types of phonemic inventory were identified. The typology uniquely captured common distinctions maintained by all children, and at the same time, allowed for individual differences in the specific phonemic composition of each system. These cross-sectional results have theoretical implications for the longitudinal course of phonemic acquisition. In particular, children appear to have a number of linguistic choices that relate to the course, the specifics, and the mechanism of change in acquisition.

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Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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