Asymmetries of reading and writing kanji by Japanese children

The present study aims at investigating the nature of kanji learning by focusing on various types of relationships between reading (naming) and writing of isolated kanji. Prominent asymmetries were found in normal children. There were a double asymmetrical type and two single asymmetrical types of kanji. Parallel to these asymmetries, asymmetrical children were identified, i.e., some children could read kanji they could not write and others could write kanji they could not read. These asymmetries are considered to arise from linguistic properties of kanji such as graphic complexity, multiple readings (inter-pretations), homophony, and the lack of phonological cues, as well as from children's strategies in processing kanji. The question of why kanji learning is difficult is also discussed.The cooperation of Mr. F. Torikoshi and Mr. T. Kuramoto, Nakano-Higashi Primary School, and the invaluable comments of Prof. E. B. Coleman, University of Texas at El Paso, are gratefully acknowledged.