Search

Background and Objective: The length and complexity of syllable structure in the utterances of the children increase with ageing. According to the role of the syllable in the speech process, performance of developmental studies on syllable acquisition in children are essential. The present study aimed to investigate the development and attainment of syllable structure and the distribution of syllable pattern in Azeri-speaking children. Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted on seventeen Azeri-speaking children (18-24 months old) selected by the cluster sampling method from Tabriz’s kindergartens and followed for 6 months. A researcher-made vocabulary sheet, vocabulary list, and verbal play were used to record children's expressive vocabulary. After collecting each child's vocabulary list, the target vocabulary was classified by syllable number and syllable structure. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Results: In children aged 18 and 19 months, 67% of vocabulary words were monosyllable, 24% bisyllable, and 9% more than bisyllable. The highest amount of syllable pattern production for monosyllable and bisyllable was CVC (36%) and CVCV (52%), respectively. Distribution of syllable patterns changed with age, as well as patterns became more complex. In these two months, the rate of usage of open and closed syllables was 35% and 65%, respectively; this ratio was constant with age. Conclusion: The children produced coda consonants before they were able to distinguish vowel length. Closed syllables were earned earlier than the vowel length, and obstruent consonants at the syllable coda position before sonorant consonants. At first, the children were not able to distinguish vowel length, but with age, they showed short and long vowels representation.

Copyright of Pajouhan Scientific Journal is the property of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, School of Public Health and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)