Abstract
Non-word repetition has, not without controversy, been considered a reliable index of phonological memory in children with language impairment (LI). Recent studies do, however, emphasize the strong link between non-word repetition skills and phonological output in pre-school children with LI. The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between non-word repetition and different aspects of language comprehension (comprehension of words, sentences and fables) in 27 children with LI. The results showed that non-word repetition signifcantly correlated with all measures of language comprehension in the children with LI. Partial correlations revealed a weaker relationship between vocabulary comprehension, comprehension of fables and non-word repetition than between non-word repetition and comprehension of grammar. A possible explanation for the findings may be that the tests assessing comprehension of grammar strained language processing and storage more than the other tests. It is concluded that non-word repetition cannot be considered to be a single, reliable index of phonological memory in pre-school children with LI. Non-word repetition incorporates a range of processes necessary for language comprehension and production, and thus mirrors the general language status of the child.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 369-380 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1999 |
Keywords
- Language comprehension
- Language impairment
- Non-word repetition
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language
- Speech and Hearing