Key evidence & numbers
| Age | Estimated median lemmas recognized | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 42,000 | Native speakers of American English. |
| 60 | 48,200 | The same study and counting method. |
Source: original estimates table. The full dataset contained 221,268 individuals; the relevant age-specific Ns are not supplied with the estimates.
What affects it?
Word recognition varied with age and education. The authors suggest that accumulated language exposure helps explain the pattern. Different generations were compared, so the pattern is not an individual learning rate. Study
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Vocabulary size test
Test yourself: vocabulary. Note the test language and instructions when comparing results.
Common questions
Does everyone gain vocabulary at the same rate?
The study does not establish an individual rate. Its values are group estimates.
Does recognition mean I can use the word correctly?
No. Recognizing a word's existence is different from explaining or using it.
Can I compare totals across languages?
Different word lists and counting rules make direct totals difficult to compare. Use evidence for the language tested.
Sources
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