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The construction of a first phonology
1School of Psychology, University of Wales at Bangor, Gwynedd, UK. m.vihman@bangor.ac.uk
Phonetica
|September 19, 2000
Summary
The first phonological system in child language development is a developmental discontinuity, not just phonetic learning. Children adapt words to an internal system, marking the start of phonology.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Developmental Psychology
- Speech Science
Background:
- Phonological development is widely believed to stem from phonetic learning.
- The concept of developmental discontinuity in early phonology is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and illustrate that the initial phonological structuring represents a developmental discontinuity.
- To differentiate between phonetic learning and the construction of a first phonology.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of phonetic and lexical learning in Finnish consonant duration.
- Examination of child word selection based on phonetic learning.
- Observation of child adaptation of adult words to an idiosyncratic template.
Main Results:
- Children select adult words for early production based on phonetic learning.
- Children later adapt these words to an idiosyncratic template for production.
- This adaptation process signifies the construction of a nascent phonological system.
Conclusions:
- The construction of a first phonology is characterized by developmental discontinuity.
- Child adaptation of words to an internal template, not initial phonetic learning, defines the beginning of phonology.