Abstract
A receptive, multiple-choice test of ASL synonyms was administered to Deaf children in order to determine both their vocabulary development and the metalinguistic skills necessary for them to identify synonyms. A total of 572 Deaf children who were 4;0-18;0 years of age were tested: 449 Deaf children of hearing parents (DCHP) and 123 Deaf children of Deaf parents (DCDP). The performance of both groups improved with age, with DCDP scoring higher than DCHP from 8-9 years old and up. An error analysis showed a decrease of phonological foil choices with increasing age in both groups. Learners in both groups relied more on semantic knowledge and less on phonological knowledge for this semantic task as they became older, which is the same pattern observed for typically developing hearing children acquiring a spoken language. This indicates that DCHP and DCDP resemble hearing children in the strategies they use to identify synonyms. In addition, DCHP follow the same developmental trajectory as DCDP but are delayed, which is consistent with the less than ideal levels of language input they receive.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
