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Related Experiment Videos

Distinguishing dialect and development from disorder: case studies.

Barbara Zurer Pearson1, Lois Ciolli

  • 1Department of Communication Disorders, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA. bpearson@comdis.umass.edu

Seminars in Speech and Language
|April 17, 2004
PubMed
Summary

This study uses a new test battery to differentiate language delays from developmental or dialectal variations in children aged 4-9. The findings show that performance levels vary widely in both Mainstream American English speakers and those with dialectal variations.

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Area of Science:

  • Child language acquisition
  • Linguistic pathology
  • Sociolinguistics

Background:

  • Differentiating language delay from dialectal variation is crucial for accurate diagnosis in children.
  • Existing assessment tools may not adequately distinguish between developmental differences and true language disorders.
  • Field research involving a wide age range (4-9 years) provides a basis for understanding typical and atypical language development.

Observation:

  • Seven case studies illustrate the utility of a proposed test battery.
  • The test battery assesses specific language features, including time clauses and double wh-questions, to minimize dialectal influence.
  • Language strengths and weaknesses were observed across a spectrum of performance levels.

Findings:

  • The proposed test battery effectively distinguishes developmental/dialectal language differences from signs of delay or disorder.

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  • Both Mainstream American English (MAE) speakers and children with strong MAE variations exhibit a full range of performance levels.
  • Specific linguistic features, unaffected by dialect, are key to identifying true language impairments.

    • Implications:

    • This research offers a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers in diagnosing language disorders in children.
    • Accurate assessment can lead to more targeted and effective language interventions.
    • Understanding the interplay of development, dialect, and disorder is essential for equitable language assessment.