Spoken Word List Development for Children’s Second Language Study Based on Expression Category

Abstract

The study of spoken word lists is critical for the Chinese language learning by foreign children. At the same time, spoken corpora of native children’s language provide an important basis for developing such word lists. Word list development is based on more than word frequency: other important factors must be considered. By analyzing a corpus of children’s spoken language, this study proves that the aggregation of children’s spoken vocabulary is related to expression categories, as well as to their native language. Furthermore, children’s spoken vocabulary changes with age as follows: generalization gradually disappears; the number of words increases, and their meaning changes; a functional change in the use of sentences with common words occurs. The paper concludes by summarizing some core recommendations for children’s spoken word lists: gathering words according to themes; dividing polysemy and collocation blocks according to age; adding and subtracting words according to different native language backgrounds.