Description:
<jats:p>Summary : The development of phonetic analysis ability.</jats:p>
<jats:p>Studies about the phonetic analysis of speech in four to six year old children are reviewed. It appears that most children below six years of age show very poor performances in most tests devised to measure phonetic analysis ability. However, several results indicate that the ability does not emerge spontaneously, but rather under the pressure of external stimulations These stimulations are most frequently provided by exposure to reading tuition, but other situations may promote the acquisition of phonetic analysis skills. It is suggested that, at least at about five years of age, children generally possess the competences needed to develop phonetic analysis activities. The strong influence of external or cultural variables on the ability suggests that it would be worih studying the perceptive, cognitive and/or linguistic competences involved in phonetic analysis rather than phonetic analysis per se.</jats:p>
<jats:p>The hypothesis that a developmental change in cognitive capacities is involved in the acquisition of phonetic analysis as well as in other metalinguistic skills is discussed. It is concluded that there is no strong argument favoring this view, and that other, more specifie factors are likely to be involved in phonetic analysis. Recent hypotheses concerning such factors are presented, and briefly discussed. Finally, methods for training in the analysis of speech are rapidly described.</jats:p>
<jats:p>Key words : metalinguistics, speech sounds, reading acquisition.</jats:p>