A Test Using Elicited Imitations in Assessing Grammatical Structure in Children

Abstract

Elicited imitation was used to obtain performance data on the grammatical system of 475 children, ages 3-0 to 7–11. The procedure attempts to provide an instrument which is valid and reliable while at the same time easy to administer and score without extensive training or knowledge of linguistics. Grammatical categories included are articles, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, demonstratives, conjunctions, verbs, negatives, contractions, prepositions, and adverbs. Results demonstrate reliability and validity as well as test usefulness in specific analysis of grammatical constructions.