Articulatory Acquisition in Typically Developing Malayalam Speaking Children: 2-3 Years

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to obtain norms/or the Malayalam Articulation Test (MAT; Maya, 1990) in the age range of 2-3 years and to determine those phonemes which are acquired by 75% and 90% of the children. MAT was administered to 120 (60 males and 60 females) children in the age range of 2 - 3 years subdivided into four age groups (2 - 2.3 years, 2.3 - 2.6 years, 2.6 - 2.9 years & 2.9 - 3 years) and the responses were transcribed using IPA. The statistical analysis of the data indicated that there was a significant difference across the age but not across gender. As age increased, the scores also increased indicating improved articulatory abilities due to neuromuscular maturation. All the vowels tested were mastered by 2.6 years of age. The phonemes as II'), In/, l b/, Im/, Ip/, 1-nt/, 1-V, /-nth/, 1-cj/, I-mil and /tf/ reached 90% criteria in all the three positions by 2.3 years itself /kl, 141. palatal nasal/JI/, lg/, Iv/, 1-ty/, ;11, It/, !<;II, It/, Id/, /j/, 111"1. 1-nkl, If'! and It/ reached 90% criteria by 3 years. None of the clusters reached even the 75% criteria by this age. Bilabials, labiodentals, dentals and velars were acquired earlier than alveolar, palatal, retroflex and glottal sounds. Unaspirated sounds were acquired earlier compared to aspirated sounds. Earlier acquisition of sounds in the present study is attributed to differences in lifestyle and to greater exposure to speech and language environment.