A5006410827- Language Development and Disorders
- Reading and Literacy Development
- Phonetics and Phonology Research
- Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
- Linguistic Studies and Language Acquisition
- Noise Effects and Management
- Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics
- Hearing Impairment and Communication
- Neuroscience and Music Perception
- Second Language Learning and Teaching
- Linguistic Variation and Morphology
- Natural Language Processing Techniques
- Spanish Linguistics and Language Studies
- Language, Linguistics, Cultural Analysis
- Speech and dialogue systems
- Medical and Biological Sciences
- Child Development and Digital Technology
- Multilingual Education and Policy
- Migration, Health and Trauma
- Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees
- Handwritten Text Recognition Techniques
- Multisensory perception and integration
- Language, Metaphor, and Cognition
- Child and Animal Learning Development
University of Malta
2013-2024
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
2018
University College London
2018
Significance Although much research has been devoted to the acquisition of number words, relatively little is known about other expressions quantity. We propose that order quantifiers related features inherent meaning each term. Four specific dimensions and use are found capture robust similarities in similar ways across 31 languages, representing 11 language types.
Current notions of "hearing impairment," as reflected in clinical audiological practice, do not acknowledge the needs individuals who have normal hearing pure tone sensitivity but experience auditory processing difficulties everyday life that are indexed by reduced performance other more sophisticated audiometric tests such speech audiometry noise or complex non-speech sound perception. This disorder, defined "Auditory Processing Disorder" (APD) "Central Auditory is classified current tenth...
A total of 241 Maltese children aged 2;0—6;0 years, drawn randomly from the public registry births, were assessed on a picture naming task to evaluate phone articulation, phonology and consistency word production. Children allowed use language they chose (either or English). Ninety-three (38.6%) reported by parents speak both English at home, 137 (56.9%) 11 (4.7%) only home. The data gained analyzed for percent consonants vowels correct, adult phonemes absent, developmental speech error...
The study aimed to obtain information about communication in the migrant community Malta. objectives were identify skills of migrants terms language use and exposure; verify whether members have access participation, education, socialization opportunities for gainful employment, if is willing share insights.A questionnaire was specifically devised collect data via structured interviews. project targeted candidates seeking refugee status. Forty immigrants consented participate interviewed...
Investigations of early vocabulary production often employ a single method to measure children’s word use. This study examined expressive development in children aged 1;0–2;6 years through combination picture naming, caregiver report and language sampling. The participants were predominantly exposed Maltese at home, with gathered evidence providing novel documentation this specific language-learning context. Expressive reported by caregivers was compared use elicited naming sampled...
Aims and objectives: This study documents early lexical expression in children whose language input the home was predominantly Maltese, accompanied by regular exposure to English mixing. Bilingualism contact were also present at societal level. The attempts determine whether children’s pattern of vocabulary growth corresponded a monolingual or bilingual mode development. Methodology: expressive vocabularies 60 aged 1;0 2;6 years measured using caregiver reports sampling. Data analysis:...
The opinion article "An Evidence-based Perspective on Misconceptions Regarding Pediatric Auditory Processing Disorder" by Neijenhuis et al. (1) presents a distorted view of the evidence-based approach used in medicine. authors focus amorphous non-diagnostic entity "listening difficulties" not auditory processing disorder (APD) and create confusion that could jeopardize clinical services to individuals with APD. In our perspective article, we rebut (1), more importantly, present rationale for...
The comprehension of constituent questions is an important topic for language acquisition research and applications in the diagnosis impairment. This article presents results a study investigating different types by 5-year-old, typically developing children across 19 European countries, 18 languages, 7 (sub-)families. investigated effects two factors on question formation: (a) whether contains simple interrogative word like ‘who’ or complex one ‘which princess’, (b) was related to sentential...
Limited word production may be the first indicator of impaired language development. The unavailability normative data and standardized assessments for young Maltese children hinders identification early delays. This study aimed to document children's expressive vocabulary growth accompanying range variation, assist at risk impairment. vocabularies 44 typically developing aged 12–30 months were measured through caregiver report. Mean scores each age point characterized by substantial...
<p>The goal of this paper is to describe the current state, needs and values migrants with a focus on relevant global issues Malta as case study. It also aims review services offered these migrants, identify aspects that require attention draw up framework could be applied enhance culturally diverse populations, particularly speech therapy. The health care are reviewed in light attitudes expectations. Professional perceptions competences work populations discussed about them taken into...
This study explores the biliteracy capabilities of individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) within Maltese-English bilingual context. The primary objective is to assess how Maltese biliterate participants DS perform on Word and Nonword reading tasks identify potential differences between two languages. Additionally, research aimed determine factors such as Phonological Awareness, Visual Perceptual Processing Skills, Receptive Vocabulary, Fluid Intelligence influence their proficiency. analysis...
Objective The aim of this study was to develop a screening questionnaire for auditory processing disorder (APD) targeted the Maltese pediatric population. Method consisted 25 close-ended questions in which parents rated their child's listening skills. data collected from 101 typically developing bilingual children and 30 forming clinical group, aged between 7;00 9;11 years. Results tool found be highly reliable with an internal consistency 0.92 test-retest reliability 0.94. Significant...