Constructively combining languages: The use of code-mixing in German-English bilingual child language acquisition
Quick,Antje Endesfelder Lieven,Elena Tomasello,Michael Backus,Albert
Quick,Antje Endesfelder
Lieven,Elena
Tomasello,Michael
Backus,Albert
Abstract
Language development in bilingual children is often related to differing levels of proficiency. Objective measurements of bilingual development include for example mean length of utterance (MLU). MLU is almost always calculated for each language context (including both monolingual and code-mixed utterances). In the current study, we analyzed the MLUs of three German-English bilingual children, aged 2;3-3;11 separately for the monolingual and code-mixed utterances. Our results showed that language preference was reflected in MLU values: the more children spoke in one language the higher the MLU was in that language. However, it was the mixed utterances that had the highest MLU for all three children. We support the results with a construction type analysis and suggest a potential usage-based explanation for these results based on individual differences in each child's developmental inventory of words and constructions.
Description
Date
2018
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Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Keywords
code-mixing, German - English, bilingual child, language proficiency, MLU, AGREEMENT, GENDER, USAGE
Citation
Quick, A E, Lieven, E, Tomasello, M & Backus, A 2018, 'Constructively combining languages : The use of code-mixing in German-English bilingual child language acquisition', Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 393-409. https://doi.org/10.1075/lab.17008.qui
License
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess