TY - JOUR
T1 - Constraints on parallel activation in bilingual spoken language processing
T2 - Examining proficiency and lexical status using eye-tracking
AU - Blumenfeld, Henrike
AU - Marian, Viorica
N1 - Funding Information:
Correspondence should be addressed to Henrike K. Blumenfeld, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2240 Campus Drive, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. E-mail: k-blumenfeld@northwestern.edu This work was supported by grants NICHD 1R03HD046952-01A1 and NSF BCS-0418495 to the second author, and by a Northwestern University Graduate Research Grant to the first author.
PY - 2007/8
Y1 - 2007/8
N2 - During spoken word-recognition, bilinguals have been shown to access their two languages simultaneously. The present study examined effects of language proficiency and lexical status on parallel language activation. Language proficiency was manipulated by testing German-native and English-native bilingual speakers of German and English. Lexical status was manipulated by presenting target words that either overlapped in form across translation equivalents (cognate words) or did not overlap in form across translation equivalents (English-specific words). Participants identified targets (such as hen) from picture-displays that also included similar-sounding German competitor words (such as Hemd, "shirt"). Eye-movements to German competitors were used to index co-activation of German. Results showed that both bilingual groups co-activated German while processing cognate targets; however, only German-native bilinguals co-activated German while processing English-specific targets. These findings indicate that high language proficiency and cognate status boost parallel language activation in bilinguals.
AB - During spoken word-recognition, bilinguals have been shown to access their two languages simultaneously. The present study examined effects of language proficiency and lexical status on parallel language activation. Language proficiency was manipulated by testing German-native and English-native bilingual speakers of German and English. Lexical status was manipulated by presenting target words that either overlapped in form across translation equivalents (cognate words) or did not overlap in form across translation equivalents (English-specific words). Participants identified targets (such as hen) from picture-displays that also included similar-sounding German competitor words (such as Hemd, "shirt"). Eye-movements to German competitors were used to index co-activation of German. Results showed that both bilingual groups co-activated German while processing cognate targets; however, only German-native bilinguals co-activated German while processing English-specific targets. These findings indicate that high language proficiency and cognate status boost parallel language activation in bilinguals.
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U2 - 10.1080/01690960601000746
DO - 10.1080/01690960601000746
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34648837326
VL - 22
SP - 633
EP - 660
JO - Language, Cognition and Neuroscience
JF - Language, Cognition and Neuroscience
SN - 2327-3798
IS - 5
ER -