Limited
word production in young children may be the first indicator of a language
delay, which in turn signals risk for Specific Language Impairment (SLI). There
is limited knowledge as to which level of bilingual vocabulary size should be
considered as a risk marker of SLI. As a result, the effects of bilingualism
and language-learning difficulties on early lexical production are often
confounded. Establishing profiles for early vocabulary production in children
exposed to more than one language across different contexts should enhance more
accurate identification of vocabulary delays that signal a risk for SLI.
The
present study employed a parental report method to measure lexical production
in 224 typically-developing children aged 24 to 36 months who were exposed to
various language pairs, namely Maltese and English, Irish and English, Polish
and English, Turkish and German, Hebrew and English, as well as Cypriot Greek
dialect and Standard Greek. Expressive vocabulary measures were obtained using
adaptations of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories: Words
and Sentences (CDI: WS) (Fenson et al., 1993, 2006) vocabulary checklist to the
participants’ languages. Data gathered were analysed descriptively for Total
Vocabulary, Total Conceptual Vocabulary and word class scores across all language
pairs. Background information on the children’s language exposure and
developmental history, including the presence of risk factors for language
impairment, was gathered through questionnaires that the children’s parents
also completed. Statistical effects of demographic, language exposure and risk
variables on vocabulary measures were examined. Implications of reported
findings will be discussed and their relevance to the early identification of
language delay in children exposed to more than one language will be
evaluated.