Modeling Individual Differences in Vocabulary Development: A Large-scale Study on Japanese Heritage Speakers

Overview

Journal Child Dev

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2024 Sep 29

PMID 39342633

Authors

Maki Kubota

Jason Rothman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study examines when the vocabulary knowledge of Japanese heritage speakers (HSs; N = 427, M = 9.96, female = 213) begins to diverge from monolingual counterparts (N = 136, M = 6.69, female = 65) and what factors explain individual differences in HS development. Vocabulary of HSs began to diverge from 5.61 years and this difference lasted until they were young adults. We also administered a fit-for-purpose questionnaire in 2021-2023 and identified six experiential latent factors: Holiday, School, Community, Proficiency, Literacy, and Home. Structural modeling indicates that Holiday predicted vocabulary scores, while Holiday and Literacy predicted Proficiency. Our findings highlight the importance of immersion experiences and literacy engagement for heritage language development.

Citing Articles

Modeling individual differences in vocabulary development: A large-scale study on Japanese heritage speakers.

Kubota M, Rothman J Child Dev. 2024; 96(1):325-340.

PMID: 39342633 PMC: 11693831. DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14168.

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