Development and Standardization of Semantic Skills Test for Sudanese Arabic Speaking Children

Abstract

Semantics is one of the branches of linguistics, studying the meaning. It is considered as major branch of linguistics devoted to the study of meaning in language. The word semantics is derived from the Greek verb –semaino (to signify or to mean). Semantics is part of the larger study of signs, semiotics. It is the part that deal with words as symbols. Language assessment aim at determining whether there is a problem that needs further assessment and intervention, to determine the goal of intervention (what the child needs to learn) and to suggest procedures for intervention. After identifying the areas in which the child is functioning below expectations for developmental level identified areas that are most delayed relative to other areas would be targeted first. Assessment of language (including semantics) by standardized tests is considered one of the challenging problems in Sudan as there is no standardized language test. The aim of this study was to develop and standardize a Sudanese Arabic Speaking Semantic skills test and usage of this test to assess semantic skills among Sudanese children.