Examining core vocabulary with language development for early symbolic communicators

Abstract

Purpose

Core vocabulary lists are frequently used to select vocabulary for early symbolic communicators who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The current study extended existing work by investigating how core vocabulary lists overlap and diverge from typical language development.

Method

We investigated when the words on seven core vocabulary lists emerge in typical language development, the composition of the lists based on their parts of speech, and how the composition of the words on the lists compare to the MacArthur Bates Communication Development Inventories (CDI).

Result

On average, the words on the seven core vocabulary lists appear after the second year of life in children with typical spoken language development (25, 27, 37, 45, 47, 50, and 66 months). Verbs were the most prevalent part of speech in all but one of the core vocabulary lists. Core vocabulary words made up only a small percentage of words on the CDI.

Conclusion

The words on the core vocabulary lists do not emerge until later points in typical lexical development. Focussing on core words when working with early symbolic communicators who require AAC may lead to limited and variable lexicons with wide gaps.

Keywords:

• core vocabulary
• augmentative and alternative communication
• language development
• lexicon
• early symbolic communicator
• speech generating device
• vocabulary selection

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the research assistants, Hannah Sherman and Emily Croyle, who assisted with this project.

Declaration of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge that this project was completed thanks to funding provided by The Ohio State University’s Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, which was awarded to the first author.