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Chapter 7. Speech rhythm in development

What is the child acquiring?
  • Brechtje Post and Elinor Payne
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Abstract

Perception and production studies of speech rhythm development in infants and children paint a complex picture of a universal early perceptual sensitivity to – and production mastery of – cues to rhythm, while the rate of acquisition of rhythmic properties across and within languages appears to be typologically and structurally determined. In this chapter we provide a critical and comprehensive review of the literature that has led to these insights. We then explore how child rhythm development can be accommodated in an integrated approach to speech rhythm in which various structural and performance aspects interact to determine developmental trajectories in rhythm acquisition.

Abstract

Perception and production studies of speech rhythm development in infants and children paint a complex picture of a universal early perceptual sensitivity to – and production mastery of – cues to rhythm, while the rate of acquisition of rhythmic properties across and within languages appears to be typologically and structurally determined. In this chapter we provide a critical and comprehensive review of the literature that has led to these insights. We then explore how child rhythm development can be accommodated in an integrated approach to speech rhythm in which various structural and performance aspects interact to determine developmental trajectories in rhythm acquisition.

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