Development of the Ability to Detect Linguistic Ambiguity

Abstract

SHULTZ, THOMAS R., and PILON, ROBERT. Development of the Ability to Detect Linguistic Ambiguity. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1973, 44, 728-733. This study was conducted to assess the ability of children of 6, 9, 12, and 15 years of age to detect various types of linguistic ambiguity. The results suggested that the ability to detect linguistic ambiguity develops at different rates depending on the type of ambiguity. The ability to detect phonological ambiguity appeared first, with the largest improvement occurring between 6 and 9 years. Second to appear was the detection of lexical ambiguity, which exhibited a linear increase with age. Detection of surfaceand deep-structure ambiguities did not occur until age 12.