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Article published In:
ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 174:2 (2023) ► pp.177–201

Vocabulary size estimates for Lithuanian native speakers

Is it possible to talk about L1 vocabulary size cross-linguistically?

ORCID logo | Vilnius University
| Vilnius University

The vocabulary size estimates suggested for native speakers used to vary considerably. More recently, researchers using Yes/No tests reported numbers that are much closer together. This article seeks to answer the question of whether we can give an estimate of an adult native speaker’s vocabulary size without specifying a language. First, it presents the estimate for a native speaker’s vocabulary size in Lithuanian and explores its variation depending on the person’s age (ranging from 16 to 71 years old), place of residence, their reading for pleasure habits, and gender. Then it compares this estimate to the ones suggested for German, English, and Dutch native speakers. The analysis suggests that the estimates for different languages, at least the ones based on empirical data rather than statistical predictions, do not differ considerably.

Keywords: vocabulary size, Lithuanian, vocabulary growth, Yes/No test
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Measuring vocabulary size with Yes/No tests
  • Vocabulary size estimates for different L1s
  • Individual characteristics affecting one’s vocabulary size
  • Counting units
  • The present study
  • Methodology
    • Lithuanian vocabulary size test
    • Data collection
    • Participants
    • Data analysis
  • Results and discussion
    • RQ1.What is an average vocabulary size of a Lithuanian native speaker and how does it change with age?
    • RQ2.How do other factors (gender, place of residence, reading for pleasure habits) affect the vocabulary size of the Lithuanian language?
    • RQ3.How do the results of Lithuanian vocabulary size compare to the estimates for German, Dutch, and English?
  • Limitations
  • Implications
  • Conclusions
  • References
Published online: 14 November 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/itl.22005.vil
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