Early identification and assessment of possible language-learning difficulties are needed to help young children who are bilingual attain proficiency in both their languages. Typical language development of sequential bilinguals is not widely understood. Young sequential bilinguals below the age of 5 years are in the dynamic stages of language learning. The home language (L1) acts as an essential foundation for the child's first (L1) and second (L2) language development. The relationship between L1 and L2 fluctuates within and across children, decreasing the value of standardized single language measures that lead to under- or over-estimation of a bilingual's skills. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare repeated samples of sequential bilinguals' language use in the natural environment with standardized and criterion-referenced measures of their two languages. A two-level hierarchical linear model was employed (time points across the day nested in children). Child vocalization counts differed significantly across home and school environments. Adult word counts were negatively related to child vocalization counts; however, conversational turns positively predicted the number of child vocalizations per 15 min interval. These results contribute to the limited research on sequential bilinguals' development of typical home and community language use. / A Dissertation submitted to the School of Communication Science and Disorders in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2010. / June 28, 2010. / Language, Bilingual, Preschool / Includes bibliographical references. / Juliann J. Woods, Professor Directing Dissertation; Mary Frances Hanline, University Representative; Amy M. Wetherby, Committee Member; Carla Wood Jackson, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_254021 |
| Contributors | Saffo, Rachel Whittington (authoraut), Woods, Juliann J. (professor directing dissertation), Hanline, Mary Frances (university representative), Wetherby, Amy M. (committee member), Jackson, Carla Wood (committee member), School of Communication (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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