scholarly journals The influence of language-switching experience on the bilingual executive control advantage

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
NELE VERREYT ◽  
EVY WOUMANS ◽  
DAVY VANDELANOTTE ◽  
ARNAUD SZMALEC ◽  
WOUTER DUYCK
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Control Performance ◽  
Language Switching ◽  
Second Language Proficiency ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Bilingual Advantage

In an ongoing debate, bilingual research currently discusses whether bilingualism enhances non-linguistic executive control. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of language-switching experience, rather than language proficiency, on this bilingual executive control advantage. We compared the performance of unbalanced bilinguals, balanced non-switching, and balanced switching bilinguals on two executive control tasks, i.e. a flanker and a Simon task. We found that the balanced switching bilinguals outperformed both other groups in terms of executive control performance, whereas the unbalanced and balanced non-switching bilinguals did not differ. These findings indicate that language-switching experience, rather than high second-language proficiency, is the key determinant of the bilingual advantage in cognitive control processes related to interference resolution.

scholarly journals Latent variable evidence on the interplay between language switching frequency and executive control in Spanish-Catalan bilinguals

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 912-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor A. Sanchez-Azanza ◽  
Raúl López-Penadés ◽  
Eva Aguilar-Mediavilla ◽  
Daniel Adrover-Roig
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Natural Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Age Of Acquisition ◽  
Switching Frequency ◽  
Language Switching ◽  
Second Language Proficiency ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
The Impact

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: We characterized the impact of several bilingualism-related factors on the executive control of Spanish-Catalan bilinguals. Design/methodology/approach: Participants self-reported information regarding their age of acquisition, second language proficiency and frequency of natural language switching, and performed non-linguistic tasks tapping into specific executive control subcomponents, including inhibition, switching and updating. Data and analysis: Data were analyzed by means of a structural equation model (SEM) approach. Findings/conclusions: Results revealed that the frequency of natural language switching positively modulated the executive control performance of Spanish-Catalan bilinguals, while neither age of acquisition nor second language proficiency had an effect. Moreover, we found that the impact of natural language switching exerted general-processing influences, affecting all subcomponents of executive control. Findings are discussed in relation to context-specific effects on the cognitive system of a particular bilingual population. Originality: The current study applied an SEM approach to provide new evidence on the previously ambiguous relation between bilingualism-related factors and executive control. Significance/implications: Our findings suggest that the frequency of natural language switching does globally influence the executive control of Spanish-Catalan bilinguals.

Associations of natural language switching with executive control in early bilinguals

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1008-1019
Author(s):  
Raúl López-Penadés ◽  
Victor A. Sanchez-Azanza ◽  
Eva Aguilar-Mediavilla ◽  
Lucía Buil-Legaz ◽  
Daniel Adrover-Roig
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Natural Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Interference Control ◽  
Language Switching ◽  
Working Memory Updating

AbstractThis study aimed at identifying linguistic factors that could contribute to understanding individual differences in executive control among bilinguals. Directionality and type of natural language switching, age of second language acquisition, and language proficiency were evaluated in a sample of 112 early bilingual adults. Participants performed several computerized tasks tapping into three dimensions of executive control: inhibition of interference, working memory updating, and shifting. Regression analyses showed that frequent switching to the second language was associated with more efficient executive processing, enhanced working memory updating processes, and better shifting ability. Moreover, higher frequency of unintended language switches was associated with lower interference control abilities. Frequency of language switching behavior was the principal predictor of executive control, beyond age of second language acquisition and language proficiency. Results suggest that frequent language switching is related to enhanced executive control, while the unintended switching of languages could be associated with low interference control.

L2 proficiency predicts inhibitory ability in L1-dominant speakers

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 984-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nga-Yan Hui ◽  
Mingyu Yuan ◽  
Manson Cheuk-Man Fong ◽  
William Shi-yuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
First Language ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Second Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Bilingual Advantage

Aims and Objectives: Bilinguals reportedly perform better in tasks that require the suppression of interference because of the constant practice in linguistic inhibition. However, previous literature was largely based on comparisons of pure monolinguals and balanced bilinguals. Those in between the two extremes were rarely examined. This project aimed at studying whether the population who primarily speak in a first language with a different level of second language proficiency also enjoy bilingual advantage. Methodology: Twelve monolingual and 38 bilingual Hong Kong older adults were recruited to perform the Stroop task and the second language (English) proficiency tests. The subjects were all frequent first language (Cantonese) speakers with various levels of second language proficiency. Data and Analysis: Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to identify the relationship between inhibition ability (Stroop score) and demographic and language background variables (including proficiency in and frequency of exposure to their second language). Findings: Both correlation and multiple regression analysis showed that the subjects with higher proficiency in a second language performed significantly better in the Stroop task. The results suggested that higher second language proficiency leads to higher difficulty in suppressing it, thus the training of inhibition is more effective. Originality: This study expanded the literature on bilingual advantage from a dichotomous comparison between monolingual and bilingual to the more continuous spectrum of bilinguals with different levels of second language proficiency. This study aimed at showing a fuller picture of bilingualism in the world. Significance/Implications: This study proposed that with high proficiency in a second language, frequent first language speakers could also enjoy cognitive advantages brought by bilingualism. Our study provides further evidence for the bilingual advantage hypothesis.

Cognitive Control in Bilingual Children

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esli Struys ◽  
Ghazal Mohades ◽  
Peggy Bosch ◽  
Maurits van den Noort
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Bilingual Children ◽  
Bilingual Group ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Global Accuracy ◽  
The Impact

Studies comparing the cognitive control of bilingual and monolingual speakers are inconclusive about the nature and underlying mechanisms of differences in language-related processing. In the present study, in order to disentangle the impact of second-language onset age of acquisition and bilingualism on cognitive control, we compared a group of bilingual Dutch/French children who had started acquisition of both languages at birth (simultaneous bilingual group) to a group of children who had started acquisition of their second language at the age of 3 years (early bilingual group). Both groups had equal proficiency in the two languages. All participants completed an extensive language test battery in Dutch and French and conducted a linguistic (verbal fluency) and a nonlinguistic cognitive control task (the color Simon task). We found higher global accuracy rates for the simultaneous bilingual group on the Simon task. Surprisingly, we did not find any differences in mean reaction time between the two bilingual groups. In conclusion, this study finds no advantage in terms of verbal fluency, but does reveal that acquiring two languages from birth onward gives simultaneous bilingual children an advantage on the Simon task, even over early bilingual children and when second-language proficiency is held constant.

The Cloze Technique as A Pedagogical Tool for the Training of Translators and Interpreters

Target ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Second Language Proficiency ◽  
Pedagogical Tool ◽  
And Training ◽  
Cloze Test

Abstract This article focuses on the versatility of the cloze technique, as a tool not only for measuring second-language proficiency, but also for selecting and training both translators (written cloze) and interpreters (aural cloze). When presented auditorily, the cloze test discriminates pass and fail interpreter students, given the external pacing and speed stress experienced by simultaneous interpreters in real life. The article offers several ways to administer the cloze technique as well as examples of such doctored material.

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