Extracting Word Frequencies From Child Language Corpora: A New Tool for Developmental Psycholinguistic Research.
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| Title: | Extracting Word Frequencies From Child Language Corpora: A New Tool for Developmental Psycholinguistic Research. |
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| Authors: | Albudoor, Nahar1 albudoor.1@osu.edu, Anaya, Jissel B.1 |
| Source: | Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research. Jul2026, Vol. 69 Issue 7, p3341-3350. 10p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Computer software, *Information retrieval, *Vocabulary, *Language acquisition, *Children, Databases, Descriptive statistics, Psycholinguistics, Data analysis software |
| Abstract: | Purpose: We introduce childeswordfreq, an R-based tool for extracting frequency data from the CHILDES (Child Language Data Exchange System) database. This tool provides researchers with the ability to efficiently analyze word and phrase frequencies across multiple languages and speaker roles within the CHILDES database. The resulting frequency measures can be used for stimulus selection in experimental studies and for analyzing patterns in child language development. To illustrate the tool’s utility, we conducted a case study using items from the Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test–Fourth Edition (EOWPVT-4), comparing their frequencies in CHILDES with adult-based Subtitle-based Word Frequency Database for American English estimates to assess how input frequency differs between child and adult linguistic environments. Conclusions: The childeswordfreq package provides an accessible route for incorporating information on how frequently words are used in child-directed speech into research workflows. The results of our case study highlight why such access is critical. The CHILDES and SUBTLEX-US frequencies diverged in patterned ways tied to developmental progression, with earlier items on the EOWPVT-4 being overrepresented in child-directed speech and later items being more prominent in an adult corpus. These findings demonstrate how adult norms can diverge from frequency distributions relevant for acquisition. By grounding analyses in child-based input patterns, childeswordfreq strengthens developmental interpretations and supports more ecologically aligned research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research is the property of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 195295680 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Extracting Word Frequencies From Child Language Corpora: A New Tool for Developmental Psycholinguistic Research. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Albudoor%2C+Nahar%22">Albudoor, Nahar</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> albudoor.1@osu.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Anaya%2C+Jissel+B%2E%22">Anaya, Jissel B.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Speech%2C+Language+%26+Hearing+Research%22">Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research</searchLink>. Jul2026, Vol. 69 Issue 7, p3341-3350. 10p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+software%22">Computer software</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+retrieval%22">Information retrieval</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Vocabulary%22">Vocabulary</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+acquisition%22">Language acquisition</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Children%22">Children</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Databases%22">Databases</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Descriptive+statistics%22">Descriptive statistics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psycholinguistics%22">Psycholinguistics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+analysis+software%22">Data analysis software</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Purpose: We introduce childeswordfreq, an R-based tool for extracting frequency data from the CHILDES (Child Language Data Exchange System) database. This tool provides researchers with the ability to efficiently analyze word and phrase frequencies across multiple languages and speaker roles within the CHILDES database. The resulting frequency measures can be used for stimulus selection in experimental studies and for analyzing patterns in child language development. To illustrate the tool’s utility, we conducted a case study using items from the Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test–Fourth Edition (EOWPVT-4), comparing their frequencies in CHILDES with adult-based Subtitle-based Word Frequency Database for American English estimates to assess how input frequency differs between child and adult linguistic environments. Conclusions: The childeswordfreq package provides an accessible route for incorporating information on how frequently words are used in child-directed speech into research workflows. The results of our case study highlight why such access is critical. The CHILDES and SUBTLEX-US frequencies diverged in patterned ways tied to developmental progression, with earlier items on the EOWPVT-4 being overrepresented in child-directed speech and later items being more prominent in an adult corpus. These findings demonstrate how adult norms can diverge from frequency distributions relevant for acquisition. By grounding analyses in child-based input patterns, childeswordfreq strengthens developmental interpretations and supports more ecologically aligned research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research is the property of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1044/2026_JSLHR-25-00280 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 10 StartPage: 3341 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Computer software Type: general – SubjectFull: Information retrieval Type: general – SubjectFull: Vocabulary Type: general – SubjectFull: Language acquisition Type: general – SubjectFull: Children Type: general – SubjectFull: Databases Type: general – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics Type: general – SubjectFull: Psycholinguistics Type: general – SubjectFull: Data analysis software Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Extracting Word Frequencies From Child Language Corpora: A New Tool for Developmental Psycholinguistic Research. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Albudoor, Nahar – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Anaya, Jissel B. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 07 Text: Jul2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 10924388 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 69 – Type: issue Value: 7 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research Type: main |
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