Wordbank: an open repository for developmental vocabulary data

TLDR

The MacArthur‑Bates Communicative Development Inventories are widely used parent‑report tools for early language acquisition, yet most researchers must collect their own data. This paper introduces Wordbank, a structured database of CDI data with a browsable web interface, to address this limitation. Wordbank archives CDI data across languages and labs, enables interactive exploration of vocabulary growth at both child and word levels, and offers the wordbankr software package for direct database access. These tools expand students’ and researchers’ ability to analyze quantitative trends in vocabulary development.

Abstract

Abstract The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDIs) are a widely used family of parent-report instruments for easy and inexpensive data-gathering about early language acquisition. CDI data have been used to explore a variety of theoretically important topics, but, with few exceptions, researchers have had to rely on data collected in their own lab. In this paper, we remedy this issue by presenting Wordbank, a structured database of CDI data combined with a browsable web interface. Wordbank archives CDI data across languages and labs, providing a resource for researchers interested in early language, as well as a platform for novel analyses. The site allows interactive exploration of patterns of vocabulary growth at the level of both individual children and particular words. We also introduce wordbankr , a software package for connecting to the database directly. Together, these tools extend the abilities of students and researchers to explore quantitative trends in vocabulary development.