Laki is spoken in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. This language comprised of 27 consonants, a few initial and final consonant clusters [C(C)VC(C)], and eight vowels. There is one study about Laki-speaking children’s typical speech sound acquisition and there are no data about Laki-speaking children with speech sound disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria, or cleft lip and palate. Recently, a test has been validated for the assessment of speech sounds in Laki-speaking children. To date, no evidence-based intervention protocol has been developed for Laki-speaking children.

Key words:
Laki, multilingual, communication, speech, language, children’s development, interdisciplinary, international communities, assessment, intervention

Book chapter:
Ahmadi, A., Malmir, Z., Pascoe, M., Zarifian, T., & Larimian, M. (2025). Laki speech development. In S. McLeod (Ed.). The Oxford handbook of speech development in languages of the world. Oxford University Press.

Language overview presentation:

• Ahmadi, A., Malmir, Z., Pascoe, M., Zarifian, T., & Larimian, M. (2024). Laki: Multilingual children’s speech development. Charles Sturt University, Australia. https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech/languages
• Video: Laki [Laki version] – Children’s Speech Development
• Video: Laki [English version] – Children’s Speech Development
• PowerPoint: Laki [English version] – Children’s Speech Development (pdf)

This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goals