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Comprehension and production of gesture in combination with speech in one-word speakers

Bibliographic Data

ID20366299
AuthorsMarolyn Morford (University of Chicago, corresponding author), Susan Goldin-Meadow (0000-0001-8536-2673, University of Chicago, corresponding author)
Year1992
Volume19
Issue3
Pages559-580
Publication date1992-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Child Language (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0305-0009 • E-ISSN: 1469-7602
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0305000900011569
PMID1429948
OpenAlexW2004257368
LanguageEN
Citations received40
References cited17

This study explores the role that gesture plays in the earliest stages of language learning. We describe how one-word speakers use gesture in combination with speech in their spontaneous communications, and interpret gesture presented in combination with speech in an experimental situation. Forty one-word speakers (ages 1;2.22 to 2;4.6) were videotaped in a free-play session which provided data on the child's spontaneous gesture and speech production. The children were also given a comprehension task in which the presence and absence of gesture were systematically varied in relation to speech. We found that (1) all of the children spontaneously produced gestures in combination with speech, and (2) all of the children were able to understand gesture when it was presented in combination with speech, not only when the gesture was redundant with speech but also when the gesture substituted for speech. These data suggest that, even at this young age, gesture naturally forms an integrated system with speech in both production and comprehension

Comprehension · Gesture · Linguistics · Nonverbal communication · Speech production · Speech recognition · Communication · Computer Science · Hand Gesture Recognition Systems · Hearing Impairment and Communication · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Psychology · Artificial Intelligence

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Unique citing works40
Citations per year1,33
Citation span1996 - 2026 (31)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 32
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