Do young Japanese children utilize the blending rule of Yo-On combinations when learning to read them?

Abstract

The Japanese language uses a syllabary, rather than an alphabet. However, 21 of the /CjV/s are not represented by a single syllable, but rather by combinations called yo-on combinations, in which /Ci/ is subscripted by /ja/, /ju/, or /jo/ (e.g., Japanese Source =/kja/). The present study aimed to examine whether young Japanese children utilize the blending rule (i.e., /Ci/ + /jV/ → /CjV/) when learn to read the combinations or learn them by rote. In Study 1, 5- to 6-year-old children took a reading test. The results indicated that most of the children were divided between those who could not read the combinations at all and those who could read more than 14 combinations. This suggests that combinations are mastered in a small amount of time. In Study 2, 5- to 6-year-old children who could read between 11 and 20 combinations were asked to read a pseudo yo-on combination X + Japanese Source (/dju/). The results indicated that 80% of them could read it. In Study 3, 5- to 6-year-old children who could read no yo-on combinations were instructed in the blending rule by showing them some examples. It was found that 60% of them could apply to rule to other items. The present studies suggest that the use of the blending rule plays a central role in learning to read yo-on combinations.