Semantic Memory in Arabic-Speaking Children with Language Delays

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altralangvol7issue1
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Published: Jun 1, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52919/altralang.v7i1.554
Keywords:
Arabic Language, Language Acquisition, Language Delay, Language Disorders, Semantic Memory

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Fakht MAAROUF
University of Mostaganem Abdelhamid Ben Badis, Algeria
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7599-4132
Mohammed HAOULA
University of Mostaganem Abdelhamid Ben Badis, Algeria
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1353-8710

Abstract

This study involves a linguistic-cognitive approach to language delay (LD) by revealing the process of semantic memory (SM) in the Arabic-speaking child according to the specificity of the Arabic language. The study aimed to answer a fundamental question about the contribution of the correlation between SM and LD in Arabic-speaking children. A sample of 32 children with LD was based on an experimental approach, including language, SM, and mental abilities tests. The results of the study found that understanding the nature of LD comes from understanding its relation to SM. We explain language impairment as a disorder in the SM processes that appear in both semantic organization and retrieval, with an advantage for retrieval. The specificity of the Arabic language in its derivation, richness, and morphological structure contributed to increasing the level of lexical access and thus the richness of the mental lexicon, and from it, the processing of language knowledge at the level of SM varies according to the features of the language.

Article Details

How to Cite
MAAROUF, F., & HAOULA, M. (2025). Semantic Memory in Arabic-Speaking Children with Language Delays. ALTRALANG Journal, 7(1), 462-470. https://doi.org/10.52919/altralang.v7i1.554
Issue
Vol 7 No 1 (2025): ALTRALANG Journal Volume: 7 Issue: 1 / June 2025
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Articles
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Author Biographies

Fakht MAAROUF, University of Mostaganem Abdelhamid Ben Badis, Algeria

Dr. Fakhet MAAROUF: Lecturer in the Department of Speech Therapy at Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University of Mostaganem, specializing in cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, and speech-language pathology. She is also the Head of the Master's Program in Language and Communication Pathology. From 2002 to 2012, she worked as a speech therapist. Since 2012, she has taught courses including Introduction to Speech Therapy, Phonetics, Phonology, Oral and Written Language Disorders, Cognitive Psychology, and Psycholinguistics at both the University of Oran and the University of Mostaganem. Dr. Maarouf has contributed to numerous research projects within her areas of specialization and has supervised many bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral theses. She has delivered lectures at national and international scientific conferences and has published several scientific articles on psycholinguistics, cognitive psychology, and speech and language disorders.

Mohammed HAOULA, University of Mostaganem Abdelhamid Ben Badis, Algeria

Prof. Mohamed HAOULA is a full professor in higher education, specializing in cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, and speech-language pathology. He is the head of the Speech Therapy Department at Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University in Mostaganem, Algeria. He has worked as a speech and language therapist in both the public and private sectors for over ten years. He has lectured on various subjects related to cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, and speech-language pathology for over twenty years at the universities of Oran and Mostaganem. He has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral theses. He has also overseen several research projects in laboratories and research centers (CRASC), served as a member of several national and international scientific bodies, and is an expert on the committees responsible for establishing speech therapy programs. He is an expert on the University Qualification Committee and University Research Formation Projects. The researcher has published several books and articles in his field of specialization in Arabic, French, and English. He has also participated in many national and international scientific activities.

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