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Parental input and connective acquisition: A growth curve analysis

Rosie van Veen

Utrecht University, r.vanveen{at}uu.nl

Jacqueline Evers-Vermeul

Utrecht University

Ted Sanders

Utrecht University

Huub van den Bergh

Utrecht University and Amsterdam University

In this study, the influence of parental input on the acquisition of discourse connectives was investigated. Three factors were hypothesized to play a role in contributing to the course of language acquisition: first, an increase in age, and hence, an increase in conceptual abilities; second, short-term frequency effects (effects of parental input in the space of one recording); and third, long-term frequency effects (effects of the cumulative parental input over a longer period of time). The authors developed a growth curve analysis and used this to analyze data from a dense longitudinal corpus of a German boy aged 1;11.12—2;11.27. Results show that each factor has a significant effect on the acquisition of the German connectives aber `but,' damit `so that,' und `and,' weil `because,' and wenn `when' and should always be taken into account when studying connective acquisition. Furthermore, growth curve analysis promises to be an innovative tool to study factors influencing the course of language acquisition.

Key Words: Connectives • first language acquisition • frequency effects • growth curve analysis • parental input

First Language, Vol. 29, No. 3, 266-288 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0142723708101679
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