ERIC Number: EJ1265358
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jul
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1092-4388
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Speech-Language Pathologists' Ratings of Telegraphic versus Grammatical Utterances: A Survey Study
Venker, Courtney E.; McDaniel, Jena; Yasick, Megan
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, v63 n7 p2271-2280 Jul 2020
Purpose: It is common for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to simplify their utterances when talking to children with language delays, but there is disagreement about whether simplified utterances should be grammatical (e.g., "Daddy is running, See the cookie?") or telegraphic (e.g., "Daddy running, See cookie?"). This study examined the extent to which SLPs reported grammatical versus telegraphic utterances to sound like something they would say and investigated whether results differed based on SLPs' perspectives about the usefulness of telegraphic input. Method: Ninety-three practicing SLPs completed an online survey. SLPs rated the extent to which a list of telegraphic and grammatical utterances sounded like something they would say to a child with a language delay who is prelinguistic or at the one- or two-word stages of spoken language development. Results: SLPs who did not view telegraphic input as useful or felt neutral about this issue rated grammatical utterances to sound significantly more like something they would say than telegraphic utterances. However, findings differed for SLPs who viewed telegraphic input as useful. There was no significant difference in the extent to which these SLPs reported grammatical versus telegraphic utterances to sound like something they would say. Conclusions: As incorrect language models, telegraphic utterances are counterexamples to the grammatical structure of English that may make it more difficult for learners to detect regularities in the language input they hear. Unless empirical evidence emerges in support of telegraphic input, it may be beneficial to maximize grammatical input provided to children with language delays.
Descriptors: Speech Language Pathology, Grammar, Linguistic Input, Allied Health Personnel, Delayed Speech, Speech Therapy, Language Acquisition, Imitation, Surveys
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) (DHHS/NIH); Department of Education (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: UL1TR000445; H325D140087
Author Affiliations: N/A