Effects of Processing Limits on Computing Scalar Implicatures: Evidence from Child English and Child Mandarin

Autor/in	Wang, Shuyan
Titel	Effects of Processing Limits on Computing Scalar Implicatures: Evidence from Child English and Child Mandarin
Quelle	In: Language Learning and Development, 19 (2023) 3, S.345-368 (24 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1547-5441
DOI	10.1080/15475441.2022.2086131
Schlagwörter	Language Processing; Mandarin Chinese; English; Short Term Memory; Correlation; Child Language; Language Acquisition; Individual Differences; Task Analysis; Preschool Children; Comparative Analysis; Mastery Learning; Test Items; Form Classes (Languages); Adults; Foreign Countries; Intelligence Tests; Cognitive Tests; Language Tests; Linguistic Theory; China; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; Digit Span Test + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Sprachverarbeitung; English language; Englisch; Kurzzeitgedächtnis; Korrelation; 'Children''s language'; Kindersprache; Sprachaneignung; Spracherwerb; Individueller Unterschied; Aufgabenanalyse; Pre-school age; Preschool age; Child; Children; Pre-school education; Preschool education; Vorschulalter; Kind; Kinder; Vorschulkind; Vorschulkinder; Vorschulerziehung; Vorschule; Test content; Testaufgabe; Analytischer Sprachbau; Ausland; Intelligence test; Intelligenztest; Kognitiver Fähigkeitstest; Language test; Sprachtest; Linguistische Theorie
Abstract	Relatively late mastery of scalar implicatures has been suggested to correlate with children's immature processing capacities, such as their limited working memory. Yet, many studies that tested for a link between children's working memory and their computation of scalar implicatures have failed to find any correlation. One possible reason is that the children in these studies showed little individual variation in computing scalar implicatures. The present study therefore tested for an effect of working memory in younger children, who still clearly displayed difficulties with scalar implicatures and showed greater individual variation. Subjects were 4- to 7-year-old children acquiring either English or Mandarin Chinese. A covered-box task was used to investigate the computation of scalar implicatures associated with 'some'. A digit span task was used to measure their working memory. Neither the Mandarin-speaking children nor the English-speaking children computed scalar implicatures at an adult-like level. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between children's computation of scalar implicatures and their digit spans. These results have provided new support for a processing approach to the observed late mastery of scalar implicatures. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01