Research project The Effect of Hyperarticulation on Early Language Development (HELD)
The HELD project examines how hyperarticulation (clear articulation) in child-directed speech affects children’s linguistic development.
Child-directed speech is a speech-style adults often use when talking to young children. The features of child-directed speech have proven to have a positive impact on various aspects of language development, but very little is known about the specific role of hyperarticulation. Hyperarticulation occurs both in child directed speech, and for example when adults are talking to other adults in noisy environments. Hyperarticulation has the purpose of facilitating or improving the conditions for effective communication, but it is unclear if it has any effect on language development in the long term.
Within the HELD project, child-directed speech will be analyzed to assess the degree of hyperarticulation of vowels in speech directed to children at different ages.
News from the HELD project:
Poster on Word-learning in Swedish infants – for the WILD conference, Lisbon June 2024 (775 Kb)
For more news from the HELD project, see the Swedish version of this page
Project description
Child-directed speech will be analyzed to assess the degree of hyperarticulation of vowels in speech directed to children at different ages. The degree of hyperarticulation in parents’ speech will also be related to the infants’ development of speech sound categories. A series of experimental studies will be used to determine how the extent, amount and relevance of hyperarticulation affect children’s word learning.
Investigating the impact of hyperarticulation on children’s language development provide an insight into the fundamental language ability and processes involved. It may also contribute to applications in language teaching and the development of intervention of children with delayed language development.
Project members
Project managers
Lisa Gustavsson
Associate Professor
Members
Ellen Marklund
Docent
Iris-Corinna Schwarz
Docent, studierektor
Klara Marklund Hjerpe
Research assistant
Petter Kallioinen
PhD Student (guest), Research assistant
David Pagmar
Researcher
