Using A Real-time Word-Naming Technique to Trace Bilingual Children’s Vocabulary Development
Year
2021
Volume 22
Issue 4
Pages
541-566
Authors
Hyunwoo Kim and Kitaek Kim
Abstract
This study tested the validity of a computer-based picture-naming tool, the HALA task, to measure the effect of bilingual children’s language exposure in their word retrieval skills. We used this task to address an unresolved issue of whether a relative amount of language input is more strongly associated with a relative versus an absolute language outcome. We measured a proportion of L2 Korean input that bilinguals speaking Russian or Chinese as an L1 received from four types of input sources using a language background questionnaire. We also assessed their word retrieving accuracy and speed using the HALA task. Results from correlation analyses show that the proportion of L2 over L1 input was more strongly correlated with the production skills measured in relative than absolute terms. Also, the effect of language input manifested more prominently in word retrieval speed than in word naming accuracy. Our findings suggest that the picture-naming task successfully captured the effect of relative amount of language input in bilingual word production when language outcomes were measured in relative rather than absolute terms. We propose the task as a tool for tracing the development of bilingual children’s word production skills.
This study tested the validity of a computer-based picture-naming tool, the HALA task, to measure the effect of bilingual children’s language exposure in their word retrieval skills. We used this task to address an unresolved issue of whether a relative amount of language input is more strongly associated with a relative versus an absolute language outcome. We measured a proportion of L2 Korean input that bilinguals speaking Russian or Chinese as an L1 received from four types of input sources using a language background questionnaire. We also assessed their word retrieving accuracy and speed using the HALA task. Results from correlation analyses show that the proportion of L2 over L1 input was more strongly correlated with the production skills measured in relative than absolute terms. Also, the effect of language input manifested more prominently in word retrieval speed than in word naming accuracy. Our findings suggest that the picture-naming task successfully captured the effect of relative amount of language input in bilingual word production when language outcomes were measured in relative rather than absolute terms. We propose the task as a tool for tracing the development of bilingual children’s word production skills.