Connections between phonology and semantics: an exploration of lexical processing in a language-impaired child

Abstract

This is a study of lexical processing in a 6-year-old whose spontaneous output shows word-finding problems, phonological errors, and occa sional semantic errors. In order to investigate the level(s) of processing responsible for these errors, tasks tapping different stages of input and output processing were carried out. The child's responses showed that his errors were largely confined to output, and involved phonological deviation from the target. Responses to different output tasks showed similar types of errors, but some inconsistency in the treatment of particular phonological or lexical targets. The implications for the nature of the processing impairment and for intervention are discussed.

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