Publication: Whole Word Phonological Measures in Typically Developing Native Nepali Speaking Children: A Cross-sectional Comparative Study
Date
2024
Article Type
Original Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
2091-0843
Volume Title
Pages
Pages: 16 - 20
Publisher
Society of Otolaryngologists of Nepal
Abstract
Abstract:
Aims and Objectives: To establish preliminary normative reference data for Phonological Mean Length of Utterance, Proportion of Word Proximity, and Percentage of Words Correct in native Nepali-speaking children aged 2 to 3 years and examine developmental differences between age groups.
Methods: Twenty-four typically developing children (12 males, 12 females) were recruited from a Kathmandu preschool, divided into two groups ≥2.0 to <2.6 years (n=12) and ≥2.6 to <3.0 years (n=12). Participants completed a picture-naming task using 50 familiar stimuli. Speech samples were audio-recorded and phonetically transcribed. Phonological Mean Length of Utterance, Proportion of Word Proximity, and Percentage of Words Correct were calculated following established protocols.
Results: Significant age-related improvements were observed across all whole-word phonological measures. Children aged 2.5–3.0 years demonstrated higher Phonological Mean Length of Utterance, Proportion of Word Proximity, and Percentage of Words Correct scores than those aged 2.0–2.5 years (p < 0.05). Strong positive correlations were found between chronological age and Phonological Mean Length of Utterance (r = 0.76) and Percentage of Words Correct (r = 0.79), while Proportion of Word Proximity showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.58). These findings indicate progressive improvement in phonological complexity and accuracy with age in Nepali-speaking children.
Conclusion: Results demonstrated developmental progression in phonological complexity and accuracy between 2 and 3 years in Nepali-speaking children. These preliminary normative reference values provided valuable reference data for clinical assessment and research in this understudied population.
Keywords: Nepali language, phonological development, speech assessment, whole-word measures, phonological mean length of utterance, percentage of words correct, proportion of whole-word proximity
Description
Sabin Sharma Duwadi
All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, Karnataka, India
N Sreedevi Sreedevi
All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, Karnataka, India
Author Biographies
Sabin Sharma Duwadi, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, Karnataka, India
Ph.D. Scholar
N Sreedevi Sreedevi, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, Karnataka, India
Professor of Speech Sciences
Department of Speech Language Sciences
All India Institute of Speech and Hearing
Keywords
Nepali language, phonological development, speech assessment, whole-word measures, phonological mean length of utterance, percentage of words correct, proportion of whole-word proximity