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| Author | Giselle Frendo |
| Abstract | Impaired speech development is reported to be the most salient characteristic of the language profiles of twins. However, little is known about the development of speech in twins speaking languages other than English. This study compared aspects of the speech system of three Maltese-speaking three-year-old sets of twins, with three individually matched Maltese-speaking three-year-old singletons and with the available trends of speech development of Maltese speaking children. The subjects were screened to ensure that they were developing along normal patterns and to eliminate the possibility of hearing loss. Speech samples were recorded and analysed using a protocol specifically modified for analysing the speech of Maltese children. In contrast to the available literature, the analyses indicated no major differences between aspects of speech of twins and that of singleton controls. Delayed or disordered speech development was not observed in this small study. Factors that may have contributed to findings in this study are discussed. The issue of twin language is also discussed in relation to the data obtained in this study. |
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| Journal | B.Sc. (Honours) Communication Therapy, University of Malta |
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| Pages | - |
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| Key words | phonology, twins, speaking, impaired speech, communication therapy, speech and language pathology |