Use of cognitive state predicates by language-impaired children

Two studies of the use of cognitive state predicates by children with speci fic language impairment (SLI) were conducted. Study I analysed longitudinal language samples collected from 26 children with SLI and 25 children with normal language (NIL) development, aged 4;4 and 2;11, respectively, at Time I. Studs II analysed samples from SLI children with more severe delays at an earlier language stage. There were 10 SLI children and 10 NL children, a ged 4;11 and 2;8, respectively, matched by MLU. All cognitive state predica tes were identified using both broad and narrow definitions. In Study I, th e SLI children used cognitive state predicates less frequently than their m ental age peers, and with no greater frequency or variety than their younge r, language peers, In Study II, children with SLI used more predicates refe rring to communication events, but there were no further group differences. These findings are discussed as they relate to two current psycholinguisti c issues: the possible dissociation of grammar and the lexicon, and the rol e of language in the development of children's theory of mind.