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The validity of transcript-based measures of child language development in Czech

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2022

Abstract

We examined the use of MLU and IPSyn in Czech including their validity against test-based measures of vocabulary and grammar comprehension. We developed a Czech version of IPSyn and we compared the scores with MLU in syllables, morphemes, and words in the same transcripts.

We used a corpus of 110 children recorded at two time points: 2;6 and around 3;11 years. The different MLU measures correlated closely (r's > 0,97).

We found strong correlations between MLU in words and IPSyn in both time points (0.88 and 0.77). Regression models showed that both MLU and IPSyn in 2;6 years predict themselves in 3;11 (β = 0.35 and 0.37, respectively).

For IPSyn, the vocabulary test showed a unique predictive effect above the factors of other predictors (β = 0.26). Our results confirm that MLU in words and IPSyn are valid measures since they predict themselves in time.