Predicting Word Learning Order in Dutch and English Using Different Word Frequencies and Other Word Attributes
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2017-01-22
Language
en
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Abstract
In this study Age of Acquisition (AoA) of words is predicted using different word frequency distributions
and other word attributes, like word length, word concreteness, lexical decision times, word arousal,
valence and dominance, prevalence and word frequency. Two analysis models are used: Multiple
Regression Analysis (MRA) and Random Forests. Both analyses are performed in both Dutch and English,
but not every predictor is used in both languages. Furthermore different word frequency variables are
used in both languages. These variables represent the word frequency distribution from different
subsets of natural language (i.e., written, spoken, and child-directed). The results show that Random
Forests better predict AoA than MRA and that in that case child-directed word frequency variables are
better for predicting AoA in both Dutch and English. Furthermore there is a very strong effect of
Concreteness and Lexical Decision Time on AoA.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen