Accepting labels in two languages: Relationships with exposure and language awareness

Authors

  • Dolly P. Rojo University of Texas at Austin
  • Catharine H. Echols University of Texas at Austin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18192/olbiwp.v8i0.2115

Keywords:

bilingualism, children, preschool, language development, novel labels

Abstract

In a study investigating how exposure to a non-native language influences acceptance of vocabulary from that language, English-speaking children heard novel labels from Spanish and English speakers. Children were categorized, based on their exposure to and fluency in Spanish, as minimal exposure, moderate exposure, or bilingual. Moderate-exposure children accepted labels from both speakers more frequently than minimal exposure children, and were statistically equivalent to bilinguals. Additionally, children’s language awareness was assessed; it was associated both with their willingness to accept labels across two languages and with the amount of exposure to Spanish.

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Published

2017-08-08

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