Comparability of language samples elicited in different situations from the same group of children

Abstract

Language samples were elicited in six different situations from 20 five-year-old children (10 boys, 10 girls) in their first six months at Primary School. The samples of language were analyzed using a number of quantitative and qualitative measures. The qualitative measures used were the noun phrase index (NPI), verb phrase index (VPI), and length complexity index (LCI) developed by Shriner (1967). The data was also analyzed according to number of noun phrases, number of verb phrases, and total utterances. In the statistical treatment of the analyzed data, correlation coefficients were obtained between all possible pairs of situations and conditions on each of the quantitative and qualitative measures. A series of t tests was also computed between pairs of situations on each of these measures. The analysis of the results of the quantitative and qualitative measures indicated that the samples of language elicited in the six different situations were not comparable. Discussion of these results considered a range of factors that may have contributed to the differences noted. Factors related to the nature of the situations, the setting within which the language was elicited, and person factors, such as the effect of the experimenter and the effect of the mother, were considered. It was concluded that such factors as those mentioned above were integral aspects of the language situation worthy of equal consideration with the language elicited.