中国儿童语言发展研究的方法转向

A Multi-Comparative Approach to the Study of Child Language Development in China

从影响儿童语言习得的内在机制和外在环境因素这两个主要问题总结当前中国儿童语言发展研究,其主要局限为:(1)大多数研究基于横向设计,缺乏对不同因素如何影响语言能力发展的细粒度探索;(2)缺乏对开放环境下语言能力与认知能力发展双向互动机制的探索;(3)多基于印欧语系语言,缺乏基于汉语儿童的大规模系统研究。就此提出研究的多重对比视角:(1)结合横向与纵向追踪研究,进行跨群体、跨发育阶段对比;(2)结合实验室与开放环境下的研究,进行跨家庭环境因素对比;(3)注重中国语言的多样性和丰富性,进行系统的跨语言对比。对以上视角进行详细阐释,并在此基础上讨论如何实现儿童语言发展研究的3个方法“转向”:(1)从探讨相关关系转向因果建模;(2)从实验室研究转向开放环境下的自然学习场景的研究;(3)从往外看寻求跨语言对比转向关注中国自身语言的多样性和丰富性。

To address the major limitations of previous research on child language development,this paper proposes a multicomparative approach,viz.(i)comparisons are made across diff erent populations and developmental stages using a combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal designs;(ii)comparisons are conducted between laboratory and open environments that incorporate crucial home environmental factors;and(iii)comparisons are made across typologically distinct languages using the rich diversity of Chinese languages.By elaborating on the multi-comparative approach,the paper aims to point towards three essential“shifts”in the fi eld of child language research:(i)to construct causal models instead of investigating simple correlations;(ii)to study language development in natural environment rather than in laboratory settings;and(iii)to focus on the rich diversity of Chinese languages instead of merely looking for comparisons between Chinese and Indo-European languages.