Semantic Relations in 3.1-5 Years Old Typically Developing Konkani Speaking Children

Abstract

Semantic relations are the common word combinations which represent a small group of meanings expressed in children’s language. These semantic relations are telegraphic in nature. It is the indication of language development in typically developing children. The complexity of the language expression increases with increase in exposure to the language, and combination of three to four words to form sentences are noticed. Semantic development is continuous in coordination with the syntax development. The present study was determined to account the semantic relations in 3.1- 5 years typically normal developing 18 Konkani speaking children. Two age groups were made to study the semantic relations in and across the two groups. The speech sample was obtained from conversation and monologue tasks. Results indicate that children until age 5, continue to use semantic relations, although the syntactic knowledge has emerged and is inadequately used in different situations such as (picture description and topic description). In conversation task, all the targeted semantic relations were present, attributing to environmental stimulation. The obtained data is useful for identifying, diagnosing and assessing the Konkani speaking children in west coastal region of India.