Table 1 Characteristics of different tests of nonword repetition
From: Memory in language-impaired children with and without autism
NEPSY | CTOPP | CNRep | NRT (current study) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
repetition of nonsense words | ||||
Scoring method | • Scored online • Syllable-level: score is number of syllables repeated without errors • Errors defined as distortions or omissions of syllables (not insertions) | • Scored online • Word-level: score is number of whole words repeated without errors • Errors defined as phoneme distortions, omissions, or insertions | • Scored online • Word-level: score is number of whole words repeated without errors • Errors defined as phoneme distortions, omissions, or insertions | • Scored offline via transcripts • Phoneme-level: score is percentage of phonemes repeated without errors • Errors defined as distortions or omissions of phonemes (not insertions) |
Total number of nonwords | 13 | 30 | 40 | 12 (typically 16) |
Range of syllable lengths | 2–5 | 1–10 | 2–5 | 2–4 (typically 1 syllable words also included) |
Articulatory complexity | High: most nonwords contain at least one consonant cluster (e.g., crumsee) | Mixed: 8 nonwords contain consonant clusters (e.g., burloogugendaplo) | Mixed: half of the nonwords contain consonant clusters (e.g., prindle) | Low: no consonant clusters, late-acquired phonemes not used |
Wordlikeness | Mixed: | Low: | Mixed: | Low: |
• Some nonwords contain English words or affixes (e.g., pledgyfriskree, inkewsment) • Low phonotactic probabilities | • No embedded English words • Low phonotactic probabilities | • Some nonwords contain English words or affixes (e.g., penl, glistering) • High phonotactic probabilities | • No embedded English words • Low phonotactic probabilities | |
Stopping rule | Test is discontinued after 4 consecutive scores of 0. | Test is discontinued after 3 consecutive scores of 0. | None | None |