Core vs. Fringe Vocabulary

CORE vocabulary refers to the words we use most frequently in our everyday communication.

Core words make up 60-80% of the words we use everyday.

They can come from many different semantic categories (verbs, pronouns, prepositions, and adjectives), but do not typically include nouns. Each person’s core word bank typically includes a total of 200 words. For example, we all use the words “I, is, on, to, you” very frequently.

FRINGE vocabulary refers to the other 20% of the words that we use in specific contexts.

Fringe words most often consist of nouns, names, places, or things. Unlike the average 200 words that make up a person’s core word repertoire, a fringe word repertoire can consist of thousands of words!

Additionally, fringe word repertoires may also vary greatly from person to person. For example, as an SLP, fringe words I use daily are “evaluation, pragmatics, fluency, oral-motor, and kaufman cards.” A doctor may use “stethoscope, syringe, antibiotic, or edema” on a daily basis.

In summary, CORE words are FREQUENTLY USED words and FRINGE words are LESS FREQUENTLY USED words.

So why is this important for communication?

Think about what it would be like to only have access to either set of words.

Take the context of the kitchen as an example.

Phrases we can make with the CORE words listed are “mix it in”, “help me pour”, “I’ll take it out”, “you try it”, “We  are making”.

These phrases are functional and using this set of CORE words can help express many things like “mix it in”, “take it out”, “help me”. However, access to FRINGE words help us be more specific; “mix it in the bowl”, or “help me pour the milk”, “take it out of the oven”, etc.

Why is it important or relevant when talking about intervention for my child who has a communication disorder?

CORE words can be mixed and combined together to communicate functionally. However,  FRINGE words are just as important because they make our communication more detailed and specific! Access to both is necessary for effective communication about varied topics.

Access to models and resources that promote a robust language system is so important for all children. Giving a child access to a variety of core AND fringe words gives them the power to communicate about anything they want!