The divergent nature of language performance and social use of language: An online scale for the Assessment of Language in Adults using Self-reported Skills (ALASS)

The Assessment of Language in Adults using Self-reported Skills (ALASS) is an online tool aimed at providing a rapid indication of skills at two levels: performance and social use of language. In Study 1, we have developed and validated a new tool with two objective measures: a lexical decision test and a grammaticality judgement test, completed online by 280 participants. Results show that ALASS is a good predictor of the outcomes for reaction times in the objective measures. In study 2, we have collected additional data to validate the social implications of ALASS, also showing a considerable explanatory power in this case, and strengthening the divergent nature of language when it is used with a social purpose against a more cognitive function (i.e. literacy and language production and comprehension). Considering its explanatory power for lexical performance, we believe that the scale has a potential applicability in the assessment of adults that could have missed a diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder during childhood.

What is it about?

This article shows the results of an online scale aimed at measuring different aspects of language performance with self-reported skills. These values have been validated with two objective scores, based on lexical and grammatical skills. Results show a clear differentiation between social use of language and a performance-related skill.

Why is it important?

These results provide a potentially way to differentiate between two different types of language use with a relatively simple task.