Page 25 - Difference or Disorder Digital Version

Difference or Disorder?

the Qur’an and classic literature. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the universal dialect for

all Arabic speakers and is used in formal writing and formal television shows. MSA is not

learned as a first language/dialect, but rather as a second language/dialect in school.

This chapter outlines the features of MSA that can serve as a guide to the rules of many

dialects. However, when determining whether errors are typical for bilingual development

or whether they could be indicative of language impairment, keep in mind that features vary

among dialects.

DEVELOPMENTAL NORMS FOR SPEECH

Age Sounds
1;2‐2;0 /b, p, h, m, w, j, d, t, ʡ, š, ʢ, ћ, n, l /
2;0‐3;10 /k, q, g, f/

4;0‐6;4 / s, χ, ð, γ, θ, ʤ, s, r/

6;5‐8;0 / t, d, ð, z/
Note: Underlined consonants are emphatic. Dialectal differences exist.
(Amayreh & Dyson, 1998; 2000; Omar, 1973)

PHONOLOGY AND PHONOTACTICS

Patterns of Native Language Influence: Example:
Replacement of /p/ with /b/ park – bark
pig – big
Stops in word‐initial position are unaspirated
Reduction of consonant cluster or addition of play – puhlay
/ə/ vowel

Consonant clusters do not exist in Arabic.
Replacement of /v/ with /f/ vase – face
Difficulty producing voiced and voiceless “th” that – dat
math – mat
Short English vowels that do not occur in witch – weetch
Arabic may be substituted with a long vowel sit –seat
Note: Dialectal differences exist and should be considered when referencing the Venn
diagrams on the following page. There is high dialectal variation and developmental norms 13
have not been established for many speech sounds.
(Amayreh, 2003; Amayreh & Dyson, 1998; Dyson & Amayreh, 2000)

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