Malvern D., Richards B. Lexical Diversity and Language Development Quantification and Assessment

Palgrave Macmillan, 2004. — 270 p. — ISBN: 1-4039-0231-3In this volume we wish to avoid giving the impression that we are seeking a single, perfect measure of lexical richness. We are concerned with quantifying the development of vocabulary in both speaking and writing and take a similar view to Read that vocabulary richness is multifaceted and can be measured by interrelated but separate variables. In a series of empirical studies we use three of Read’s components as variables, the omission being lexical density. Errors, however, play only a relatively minor role in our investigations, being confined to spelling errors in one study of first language writing.