Extensão média do enunciado em crianças com desenvolvimento típico de linguagem

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the mean length of utterance in children aged 2 years to 4 years and 11 months with typical language development, making sure that there is a correlation between the mean length of utterance, age and gender. The sample comprised 72 children, 36 female and 36 male. After conducting a speech screening, children were subjected to a recording made by means of spontaneous speech and appointment of miniature objects and toys. Video recordings were made for 20 minutes. For analysis of Mean Length of Utterance, the sample of speech of the subject was divided in utterances until it reached the number of 100. To calculate the Mean Length of Utterance -words were accounted, all the words divided by the total number of utterances and to calculate the Mean Length of Utterance morphemes were acounted, all morphemes divided by the total number of utterances. After completion of the collection, the data were arranged in tables according to age, gender and age and subjected to statistical analysis. Finally, we used the Statistical Analysis System program, version 9.2 for performing the statistical analyzes. Spearman correlation test to analyze the correlation vocabulary with Mean Length of Utterance, and Mann-Whitney test for comparison of Mean Length of Utterance words and Mean Length of Utterance - morphemes between the genders and Kruskal Wallis test for comparison of Mean Length of Utterance words and Mean Length of Utterance - morphemes between age groups. In both tests, the significance level was 5% (p <0.05). According to the findings, it can be concluded that age is not a determining factor for the grammar development and increased vocabulary implies a greater extent of utterance. As well as the Mean Length of Utterance - morphemes are greater than Mean Length of Utterance words values. Furthermore, the Mean Length of Utterance words can be used as language development index in children with normal language development.