Cultural influences on the developing semantic lexicon

Dados Bibliográficos

ID20366376
AutoresKarla K Mcgregor (0000-0003-0612-0057, University of Iowa, autor correspondente), Natalie Munro (0000-0001-9694-9701, The University of Sydney), Su Mei CHEN (University of Iowa), Elise Baker (0000-0002-9973-5925, The University of Sydney), Jacob Oleson (0000-0001-6343-3274, University of Iowa)
Ano2018
Volume45
Fascículo6
Páginas1309-1336
Data de publicação2018-11-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Child Language (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0305-0009 • E-ISSN: 1469-7602
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0305000918000211
PMID29961430
OpenAlexW2811310108
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas43

To determine whether the developing semantic lexicon varies with culture, we examined the animal and food naming of children from three communities distinguished by language, cultural heritage, and population density. The children were five- and seven-year-olds from Australia (n = 197), Taiwan (n = 456), and the US (n = 172). Naming patterns revealed hierarchical and flexible organization of the semantic lexicon. The content of the lexicon, particularly food names, varied with cultural heritage. In all three communities, wild mammals were predominant during animal naming, a likely influence of children's media. The influence of the Chinese zodiac was evident in the clustering of animal names in the Taiwanese sample. There was no apparent influence of population density and little influence of language, except that the Taiwanese children more frequently named foods at the superordinate level, a possible influence of the structure of Mandarin. Children develop their lexicons in response to culture as experienced first-hand or through media

Lexicon · Linguistics · Child and Animal Learning Development · Computer Science · Language Development and Disorders · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development