Determining the average number of morphemes or words used in an individual’s utterances is a crucial aspect of language development assessment. This calculation involves transcribing a language sample, segmenting each utterance, counting the morphemes or words within each utterance, summing those counts, and dividing by the total number of utterances. For example, if a language sample contains ten utterances with a total of thirty morphemes, the average length of utterance is three morphemes.
This metric serves as a valuable indicator of a speaker’s language complexity and developmental stage. Its use in clinical and research settings provides insights into language acquisition, potential delays, and the effectiveness of interventions. Historically, the measure has been instrumental in tracking language milestones and differentiating typical from atypical language development patterns across various populations.
