The
Mean Length of Utterance in Maltese-Speaking Children
ABSTRACT of Thesis by Portelli Josette
In this study the mean length of utterance in
morphemes (MLU (m)) for 18 month old to 60 month
old Maltese-speaking children is calculated on
the basis of language samples collected for all
the children in the study. The MLU is calculated
following Brown’s (1973) rules with tailor-made
modifications to Maltese. MLU was first calculated
by Brown for English-speaking children. The modifications
were necessary since Maltese has a different
morphology to English. The emergence of different
word classes and several morphemes is also documented
in this project. MLU stages are assigned to specific
age ranges and morphological development in these
stages is described.
