Poster - #VH-04980 - Keywords: bilingual, Spanish, diagnosis, phonology

The Role of Markedness in Between-Language Interaction in Latinx Preschoolers: Evidence from Substitution Errors

Leah Fabiano, Sabrina Sieg, and Jessica Barlow
University of Pittsburgh and San Diego State University

ABSTRACT:
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide evidence for a theoretical model of between-language interaction in bilingual phonological representation through the examination of substitution error patterns through the lens of markedness, or relative featural complexity. Specifically, we observed what targets bilingual children avoid and what phones bilingual children use as substitutes for those targets. Due to the nature of between-language interaction, we predicted that phonemes shared between languages with lower markedness values would be used as substitutes for unshared sounds with higher markedness values. Method: Seventy children, ages 3;11-6;7 (years;months), participated in this study: sixty-three typically developing bilingual Spanish-English speaking children and seven bilingual Spanish-English speaking children with speech sound disorders. SubstitThe converginignution errors in single-word speech samples were analyzed in relation to their markedness values in terms of both targets avoided and substitutes produced. Results: Findings indicated both typically developing and bilingual Spanish-English speaking children with speech sound disorders preferred the use of unmarked phonemes that are shared across languages over the use of marked, language-specific phonemes. Evidence of between-language interaction was observed in both the (1) substitutes employed; (2) phonotactics, and (3) phonemic targets avoided. Regardless of disability status, bilingual children abided by the phonological rules of their languages in errors of substitution. Conclusion: Through the examination of substitution errors, evidence of between-language interaction and recognition of relative complexity emerged. These results have implications for multidimensional, cross-linguistic interactions as well as the language-specific patterns demonstrated in substitution errors.