FREQUENT WORDS-- PART 2

Results of a Hong Kong survey, described in an earlier report, are summarized here. The study investigated the English vocabulary size of native-speaking adults (n=78), non-English native-speaking adults--Chinese (n=20), and non-English native Chinese-Speaking non-Chinese (n=9). The vocabulary used reflected British rather than American English usage. Data were gathered on respondent age and educational and language backgrounds. Each respondent also checked off the words he knew from among 150 vocabulary items. The instruments used are appended. Results indicate that the most important factor in receptive vocabulary is being a native speaker. Age and exposure to English were also found to be important, but the advantages of age were offset by extent of formal education. Gender appeared to play no role. An appendix contains the questionnaire. 7 tables, ano 10 references.) (M6E) ********************k************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.>k