Sound recognition
Undergraduate researcher explores how children learn language
In Rebecca Turner's research, she assesses how children learn words that use allowable sounds in English and foreign words that violate those rules.
Do children in the early stages of vocabulary acquisition learn words that conform to English phonology (allowable sounds) more easily than words that violate English phonology? Do children make more errors on words that contain non-native phonology?
Rebecca Turner, a senior communication science and disorders major in the School of Health Professions, presented her answers to those questions at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum. She is one of more than 170 undergraduate researchers whose work was featured on April 30.
"An example of this is that a word cannot begin with zw in English, but it can in German (e.g., zweibel)," Turner says. "Although English-speaking adults know that zweibel would not be a permissible word in English, it is unclear when young language-users become aware of these rules."
In Turner’s study, 26 English-learning children from 12 to 30 months of age came to a laboratory every two months. They were taught six novel words each for objects and actions. Half of the words conformed to English phonological rules, and half did not. Turner will know the results soon.
Turner says she hopes that her research will contribute to knowledge of human development, specifically in young children. "By bringing light to children's developmental processes, I can see it as an aid in forming educational programs and helping parents raise their children to be eloquent speakers," Turner says. "It might add to the understanding of why some children experience articulation disorders."
Judith Goodman, associate professor and chair of communication science and disorders, mentored Turner. Senior Katherine Hubinger and graduate students Chesney Moore and Kathryn Brady helped Turner with the project.
Since the undergraduate research forum began five years ago, the number of presenters has grown from 56 to more than 170 this year, says Linda Blockus, director of undergraduate research. The forum offers students and faculty opportunities to see the types of projects possible in everything from hard sciences to fine arts. "The forum is a visual reminder of the exciting ways undergraduates engage in their education at MU," Blockus says.