TENSE MARKERS AMONG HINDI SPEAKING TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILDREN

In grammar, tense is a category that expresses time reference with reference to the moment of speaking. Tenses are usually manifested by the use of specific forms of verbs, particularly in their conjugation patterns. Most of the previous research reveals that tenses develop with age and thus older children had more accurate speech and fewer error patterns in their speech. However, in Indian contexts, limited studies are noted in the area of language development in children with intellectual disability Hindi-speaking children. Thus, the present study aims to explore tense markers in Hindi speaking intellectually disabled children and its comparison across mental age (MA) matched typically developing children. The results revealed that syntax develops significantly with the age. Comparison across the two groups showed higher occurrences of tense forms among TD children when compared to the children with ID.  Related studies are discussed clearly in the paper which reveals a number of studies supporting the finding. The present study has significant implications for the assessment of developmental speech disorders among Hindi-speaking group of Indian population.