Early Word Recognition and Word Learning in Mandarin Learning Children

Abstract

For the most part, research on early lexical processes has concentrated on Indo-European and Romance languages. As a result, past research has largely focused on sources of phonological variation relevant to these languages families (i.e., vowels and consonants) in the developing lexicon. Mandarin uses consonants and vowels, but also lexical tones, to define words. A primary focus of this chapter is on how Mandarin tones influence and constrain three fundamental lexical processes in Mandarin learners: word segmentation, word recognition, and word learning. In addition, studies with both bilingual and monolingual learners of Mandarin are reviewed. To summarize, research investigating early lexical processes in Mandarin reveals specific differences between the developmental course of tone acquisition and the course of acquisition charted for vowels and consonants. This invites expansion of formal models and theoretical accounts of early lexical development to accommodate the influence of suprasegmental phonology on the developing lexicon.