Abstract: Based on the spontaneous speech dare of 129 Putonghua-speaking children aged 1;6-4;6, the present study had identified the phonological repertoires and typical phonological processes of Putonghua-speaking children of various age groups. The research findings can be applied to larger-scale standardized phonological tests on Putonghua-speaking children. The norms developed in this study can be used for early diagnosis of phonologically-impaired children. By comparing with research findings of other languages such as English and Cantonese, the present study provides further insights into the role of both universal tendencies and the ambient language in phonological acquisition.

Key words: phonological acqinsihon, Putonghua-speaking children, cross-linginshc comparison