Work

Predicting the development of Papiamento and Dutch word decoding efficiency in the Dutch Caribbean

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: We investigated the development of word decoding (Grades 4–6; 165 children) in Papiamento (L1) and Dutch (L2) in the postcolonial context of the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The results show a steady development over the upper Grades for both L1 Papiamento and L2 Dutch word decoding in that children became more efficient in word decoding over the years. However, the children were generally better decoders in L2 Dutch than in L1 Papiamento. Moreover, the initial language of decoding instruction did not matter for the development of word decoding. The groups were equally efficient in L1 and L2 word decoding in Grades 4–6. Furthermore, rapid naming and phonological awareness predicted L1 word decoding development, whereas rapid naming, phonological awareness, and working memory predicted L2 word decoding development. Finally, evidence was found for linguistic interdependencies for word decoding development from L1 to L2 and vice versa.

Source: Journal of Pidgin and Creole Languages

DOI: 10.1075/jpcl.00125.van

Authors: Melissa van der Elst-Koeiman, Eliane Segers, Ronald Severing, Ludo Verhoeven

Institutions: Radboud University Nijmegen, The University of Queensland, University of New England, University of Curaçao, University of New England

Language: English

Topic: Reading and Literacy Development

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Radboud Universiteit, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek