Abstract
Introduction: Cross-linguistic transfer, when a speech sound from one language is used when speaking another language, occurs in typically developing multilingual children’s speech. During speech assessment, speech-language pathologists must reflect on how multilingual children’s multiple phonological systems may interact. Vietnamese is the third most spoken non-English language in Australia, yet little is known about how Vietnamese and English interact in speech acquisition.
Aim: To explore the frequency and nature of cross-linguistic transfer in Vietnamese-English speaking children.
Methods: Participants were 66 Australian Vietnamese-English-speaking children aged 2;0-8;11. The Vietnamese Speech Assessment and the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology were administered. Transcriptions were confirmed by a team that included Vietnamese-English speakers. Speech samples were analysed for instances of cross-linguistic transfer of non-shared consonants.
Results: 57 children (86.36%) demonstrated cross-linguistic transfer of non-shared consonants in at least one direction (from one language to the other). 17 children (25.76%) demonstrated bi-directional cross-linguistic transfer of non-shared consonants. The most frequently transferred non-shared consonants were: /ɡ, ɹ, θ/ to Vietnamese and /c, ʂ, Ɂ/ to English. All non-shared English consonants were found in at least one participants’ Vietnamese speech sample. Transfer tended to occur when the target was phonetically similar.
Conclusion: The majority of children in this study exhibited cross-linguistic transfer. If speech-language pathologists cannot identify non-shared speech sounds from children’s home languages, they may misinterpret cross-linguistic transfer as atypical speech errors. Speech-language pathologists need to consider all consonants that occur in multilingual children’s home languages to support accurate diagnostic decision-making.
Aim: To explore the frequency and nature of cross-linguistic transfer in Vietnamese-English speaking children.
Methods: Participants were 66 Australian Vietnamese-English-speaking children aged 2;0-8;11. The Vietnamese Speech Assessment and the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology were administered. Transcriptions were confirmed by a team that included Vietnamese-English speakers. Speech samples were analysed for instances of cross-linguistic transfer of non-shared consonants.
Results: 57 children (86.36%) demonstrated cross-linguistic transfer of non-shared consonants in at least one direction (from one language to the other). 17 children (25.76%) demonstrated bi-directional cross-linguistic transfer of non-shared consonants. The most frequently transferred non-shared consonants were: /ɡ, ɹ, θ/ to Vietnamese and /c, ʂ, Ɂ/ to English. All non-shared English consonants were found in at least one participants’ Vietnamese speech sample. Transfer tended to occur when the target was phonetically similar.
Conclusion: The majority of children in this study exhibited cross-linguistic transfer. If speech-language pathologists cannot identify non-shared speech sounds from children’s home languages, they may misinterpret cross-linguistic transfer as atypical speech errors. Speech-language pathologists need to consider all consonants that occur in multilingual children’s home languages to support accurate diagnostic decision-making.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - Aug 2023 |
| Event | 32nd World Congress of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) 2023: IALP 2023 - The Aotea Centre, Auckland, New Zealand Duration: 20 Aug 2023 → 24 Aug 2023 https://ialpauckland2023.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | 32nd World Congress of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) 2023 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Together Towards Tomorrow |
| Country/Territory | New Zealand |
| City | Auckland |
| Period | 20/08/23 → 24/08/23 |
| Other | The IALP World Congress occurs every three (3) years – Triennial. It brings together the global community of affiliated societies to one event, hosted by regional national societies/Local Organising Committee. IALP Vision IALP has a global vision to facilitate better understanding, knowledge and care of all those with communication and swallowing disorders. IALP Mission The mission of IALP is to improve the quality of life of individuals with disorders of communication, speech, language, voice, hearing and swallowing. IALP will: i. facilitate science, education, and clinical practice through international cooperation and collaboration; ii. create and share knowledge, skills and information; iii. provide a platform for international networking and advocacy. |
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