Keyword "Linguistics"

The aims of this research are to describe Aboriginal English (AE) used by local preschool children, and investigate whether the use of AE affects their communicative interactions at preschool. 21 Aboriginal preschool children and 21 non-Aboriginal preschool children were videotaped during naturalistic communicative interactions with their educators at preschool. Linguistic transcription and analysis are currently in progress. Preliminary results indicate that the verbal and non-verbal communication of the Aboriginal children differs from that of the non-Aboriginal children. Many of the features identified in the Aboriginal children’s speech are consistent with AE features. Some implications of these findings will be discussed.