Spontaneous Verbal Repetition in Toddler-Adult Conversations: A Longitudinal Study with Spanish-Speaking Two- Year-Olds

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Spontaneous Verbal Repetition in Toddler-Adult Conversations: A Longitudinal Study with Spanish-Speaking Two- Year-Olds
Language: English
Authors: Casla, Marta, Méndez-Cabezas, Celia, Montero, Ignacio, Murillo, Eva, Nieva, Silvia, Rodríguez, Jessica
Source: Journal of Child Language. Mar 2022 49(2):266-301.
Availability: Cambridge University Press. 100 Brook Hill Drive, West Nyack, NY 10994. Tel: 800-872-7423; Tel: 845-353-7500; Fax: 845-353-4141; e-mail: subscriptions_newyork@cambridge.org; Web site: https://www.cambridge.org/core/what-we-publish/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 36
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Verbal Communication, Repetition, Parents, Vocabulary Development, Toddlers, Spanish, Predictor Variables, Language Acquisition, Interpersonal Communication, Language Skills, Age Differences
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory
DOI: 10.1017/S0305000921000015
ISSN: 0305-0009
Abstract: The role of children's verbal repetition of parents' utterances on vocabulary growth has been well documented (Masur, 1999). Nevertheless, few studies have analyzed adults' and children's spontaneous verbal repetition around the second birthday distinguishing between the types of repetition. We analyzed longitudinally Spanish-speaking parent-child dyads during spontaneous interaction at 21, 24 and 30 months. Linguistic level was measured using the Spanish version of the MacArthur CDI (López-Ornat et al., 2005). Children's and adults' repetitions are about 17% of the speech. Children repeated adults' utterances in a reduced manner whereas adults produced more extended repetitions. Adults' rate of repetition predicted children's linguistic level at 30 months. Children's rate of repetition did not predict linguistic level. These results suggest that parents adapt their speech to children's communicative abilities. Since children's rate of repetition did not predict linguistic level, we suggest that verbal imitation plays an indirect and complex role in communicative development.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1325512
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The role of children's verbal repetition of parents' utterances on vocabulary growth has been well documented (Masur, 1999). Nevertheless, few studies have analyzed adults' and children's spontaneous verbal repetition around the second birthday distinguishing between the types of repetition. We analyzed longitudinally Spanish-speaking parent-child dyads during spontaneous interaction at 21, 24 and 30 months. Linguistic level was measured using the Spanish version of the MacArthur CDI (López-Ornat et al., 2005). Children's and adults' repetitions are about 17% of the speech. Children repeated adults' utterances in a reduced manner whereas adults produced more extended repetitions. Adults' rate of repetition predicted children's linguistic level at 30 months. Children's rate of repetition did not predict linguistic level. These results suggest that parents adapt their speech to children's communicative abilities. Since children's rate of repetition did not predict linguistic level, we suggest that verbal imitation plays an indirect and complex role in communicative development.
ISSN:0305-0009
DOI:10.1017/S0305000921000015