Thesis
Does accent variation affect the identification of Speech Sound Disorders in Scottish English-speaking children?
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2026
- Thesis identifier
- T18030
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 202467573
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Background Accent variation can impact the identification of Speech Sound Disorders (SSD). The Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology (DEAP) is recommended to screen for and diagnose SSDs; however, it does not contain guidance on which phonological features may be variants of Scottish English speech. Aim To provide a list of accent variants to consider when assessing Scottish English-speaking children. To quantify the impact of misinterpretation of accent variants as errors on the PCC score elicited from the DEAP screen. Method Speech samples from 273 Scottish children were analysed. Each child’s PCC score was calculated twice: once counting accent variants as correct (Method A) and once as errors (Method B). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the impact of socioeconomic factors on PCC score. Results Observed processes included /t/ glottalization, “th” fronting, /ŋ/ fronting, and /r/ weakening. Fifty-three children were identified with speech errors when accent variants were counted as correct, compared to 148 when they were counted as errors. Statistical analysis revealed significantly higher PCC scores when accent variants were counted as correct, t(272) = 13.00, p < .001, r = .64. Method A yielded higher scores (M = 96.97, SD = 8.82) than method B (M = 94.25, SD = 9.96). Age, sex, and history of speech, language, and communication needs, significantly predicted PCC scores. Discussion The identified phonological features should be recognised as accent features of Scottish English rather than speech errors. These features of Scottish English may be misclassified as speech errors when using the DEAP screen, as they do not match the target transcriptions and often resemble developmental errors listed in the scoring manual. Conclusion SLTs must consider accent variation in diagnostic assessments to avoid overidentification and unnecessary intervention.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Lawson, Eleanor
- Cleland, Joanne, 1980-
- Resource Type
- DOI
- Date Created
- 2025
- Embargo Note
Relations
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