Journal article
Cultural influences on the developing semantic lexicon
Journal of child language, Vol.45(6), pp.1309-1336
11/2018
PMID: 29961430
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Source: InCites
Abstract
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.
Details
- Title
- Cultural influences on the developing semantic lexicon
- Creators
- Karla McGregor - University of SydneyNatalie Munro - University of SydneySu Mei Chen - University of IowaElise Baker - University of SydneyJacob Oleson - University of Iowa
- Publication Details
- Journal of child language, Vol.45(6), pp.1309-1336
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Identifiers
- 991013169712002368
- Copyright
- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article