Spelling in non-alphabetic languages
Spelling in non-alphabetic languages
This symposium brings together five presentations that examine how spelling is associated with reading and reading-related skills in non-alphabetic languages (i.e., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Tamil). The underlying thread across presentations is the focus on different variants of non-alphabetic languages (e.g., syllabic, akshara-syllabic, alpha-syllabic, and morpho-syllabic systems), which allows for an in-depth examination of language-universal and language-specific features of spelling. Furthermore, the consideration of both cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives serves to inform about the suitability of existing theoretical frameworks in explaining spelling development at different points in the developmental trajectory. The findings of these papers relating to cognitive correlates (e.g., phonological awareness, morphological awareness, reading accuracy & fluency) and home literacy factors have implications on how instruction in these skills both in school and at home can facilitate spelling development. Findings also shed light on how reading and spelling instruction can be complementary.