Limitation and suggestions

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5.4 Limitation and suggestions

The present study has shed some light on the use of the modal hui in Mandarin-speaking children. However, there are still some limitations of the study.

First, due to the limitation of time, the present study only included eight subjects.

Further study could investigate more subjects to understand children’s use of the modals. Second, previous studies suggested that adult input may influence the child’s acquisition of modality, namely, children’s cognitive understanding of modal notions is enhanced by their meaningful conversation with the caregiver. Further study could examine the use of modals in adult’s speech and the relation between caregiver’s input and the children’s acquisition of modality. Third, the pragmatic functions of the modal hui utterances listed in this study may not be exhausted. Other pragmatic functions could be explored in the future. Furthermore, further study could investigate other modal forms to enrich our understanding of children’s use of modals.

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Previous word lengthened Self-completion

Unfilled pause Action on main line Action without speech

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