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Multilingual phonological development: Preschoolers in Singapore. (Current)

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S)

Jasper Sim

COLLABORATORS

Brechtje Post

DURATION

Since 2018

DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT(S)

This project seeks to better understand early phonological acquisition in a context in which linguistic input can be especially varied and variable. It focuses on preschoolers’ acquisition of Singapore English, a variety that emerged from long-term language contact, within a multilingual, multicultural setting that is linguistically and sociolinguistically complex. More specifically, the variation in the English child-directed speech (CDS) of Singaporean caregivers and its possible connections with or effects on the outcomes of phonological acquisition in their preschool children are explored in this project.

CONNECTED PROJECT(S)
PRINCIPAL RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS
  • Sim, J. H. & Post, B. (in press). Influence of caregiver input and language experience on the production of coda laterals by English-Malay bilingual preschoolers in multi-accent Singapore. Journal of Child Language.

  • Sim, Jasper H., and Brechtje Post (2021). Variation in quality of maternal input and development of coda stops in English-speaking children in Singapore Journal of Child Language, 1-26. doi:10.1017/S0305000921000593

WHY/HOW DOES YOUR PROJECT ADVANCE OUR KNOWLEDGE ON BILINGUALISM/MULTILINGUALISM/CONTACT?
WHAT IS THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF YOUR PROJECT?

The findings allow us to better understand the complex interaction between linguistic and social factors in shaping children’s language learning in a multicultural, multilinguistic society.

LOCATION AND/OR IMPACT OF YOUR PROJECT

Singapore

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