Language is naturally acquired within conversational contexts(Hoff, 2006), and considering that children interact most frequently with their parents(Topping, Dekhinet, & Zeedyk, 2013), the linguistic input provided by parents in conversations sign...
Language is naturally acquired within conversational contexts(Hoff, 2006), and considering that children interact most frequently with their parents(Topping, Dekhinet, & Zeedyk, 2013), the linguistic input provided by parents in conversations significantly influences children's language development(Cartmill et al., 2013; Huttenlocher et al., 1991). Parental linguistic input can be analyzed in various ways. Both the quantity and quality of parental linguistic input are reported to be related to children's language development. However, the criteria for distinguishing between quantity and quality differ among researchers(Anderson et al., 2021), making it undesirable to emphasize one over the other dichotomously. Parental linguistic input can also be examined in terms of semantics, syntax, and pragmatics(discourse). This multifaceted analysis is more comprehensive, as the linguistic systems of semantics, syntax, and discourse are closely interconnected(Salinas, 2001). For children with hearing loss who find auditory rehabilitation challenging despite wearing hearing aids, cochlear implantation is performed(Lee & Kim, 2011). Receiving cochlear implants at an early age can minimize the risk of language delay(Miyamoto et al., 2003). Nonetheless, the language development of children with cochlear implants may still lag behind that of hearing children(Rinaldi et al., 2013; Välimaa et al., 2018). Hearing parents also need to adapt their communication methods to capture the attention of their hearing-impaired children(Curtin et al., 2021), which can complicate parent-child interactions. Parents and children interactively influence each other(Chapman, 2000; Cox & van Dijk, 2013). Thus, parental linguistic input may be adjusted according to the child's level of language development. Studies with hearing children have reported that parental linguistic input differs between parents of children who have caught up to normal language development levels(Catch-up group) and those who have not(Non-catch-up group)(Paul & Elwood, 1991; Vigil, Hodges, & Klee, 2005). However, research on how parental linguistic input varies with the language development of children with cochlear implants is limited. Since there is ongoing discussion about the factors influencing the language development of children with cochlear implants(Bavin et al., 2021), examining how parental linguistic input differs according to the language development of these children and identifying which types of input facilitate language development can provide valuable insights for clinical practice. This study aimed to investigate the differences in parental linguistic input in terms of semantics, syntax, and discourse between parents of children with cochlear implants who have reached normal language development levels(Catch-up group) and those who have not(Non-catch-up group). Additionally, variables predicting the language development of children with cochlear implants were identified. The study was conducted using a 20-minute free-play session in a confined space to observe natural parent-child interactions. Parental linguistic input was categorized and analyzed into semantic input(number of total words, number of different words), syntactic input(mean length of utterance in words, number of clauses per utterance), and discourse input(mean turn length, proportion of well-timed turn). The results of this study are summarized as follows: First, the semantic input of parents was examined between the groups. There was no significant difference in the number of total words between the groups. However, the number of different words was significantly higher in the Catch-up group compared to the Non-catch-up group. Second, the syntactic input of parents was examined between the groups. The mean length of utterance in words was significantly longer in the Catch-up group compared to the Non-catch-up group. However, there was no significant difference in the number of clauses per utterance between the groups. Third, the discourse input of parents was examined between the groups. The mean turn length was significantly shorter in the Catch-up group compared to the Non-catch-up group. The proportion of well-timed turn was significantly higher in the Catch-up group compared to the Non-catch-up group. Specifically, the proportion of immediate responses to the child's utterances was significantly higher in the Catch-up group, while the proportion of waiting after the parent's utterance was significantly lower. There was no significant difference in the proportion of elaboration after the parent's utterance between the groups. Fourth, correlations between the age at cochlear implantation, duration of cochlear implant use, parental linguistic input, and the language age of children with cochlear implants were examined. The findings revealed that the duration of cochlear implant use, number of different words, number of clauses per utterance, mean turn length, and proportion of well-timed turn were significantly correlated with the language age of children with cochlear implants. Lastly, a stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted with the child's age at cochlear implantation, duration of cochlear implant use, and parental linguistic input as independent variables. The results indicated that the proportion of well-timed turn and the number of different words were predictors of the language age of children with cochlear implants. This study highlights the significant impact of parental discourse input, which has been somewhat overlooked in clinical settings, on the language development of children with cochlear implants. It suggests that efforts by parents to create natural discourse contexts can foster the language development of children with cochlear implants. Therefore, it is recommended that parent education and coaching programs for parents of children with cochlear implants should emphasize the ability to facilitate discourse.