Masked translation priming asymmetry in Chinese-English bilinguals: Making sense of the Sense Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 294-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violet Xia ◽  
Sally Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Lexical Decision ◽  
First Language ◽  
Target Category ◽  
Semantic Categorization ◽  
Conceptual Representations ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Translation Priming ◽  
Masked Translation Priming ◽  
Sense Model

Masked translation priming asymmetry is the robust finding that priming from a bilingual's first language (L1) to their second language (L2) is stronger than priming from L2 to L1. This asymmetry has been claimed to be task dependent. The Sense Model proposed by Finkbeiner, Forster, Nicol, and Nakamura (2004) claims that the asymmetry is reduced in semantic categorization relative to lexical decision due to a category filtering mechanism that limits the features considered in categorization decisions to dominant, category-relevant features. This paper reports two pairs of semantic categorization and lexical decision tasks designed to test the Sense Model's predictions. The experiments replicated the finding of Finkbeiner et al. that L2-L1 priming is somewhat stronger in semantic categorization than lexical decision, selectively for exemplars of the category. However, the direct comparison of L2-L1 and L1-L2 translation priming across tasks failed to confirm the Sense Model's central prediction that translation priming asymmetry is significantly reduced in semantic categorization. The data therefore fail to support the category filtering account of translation priming asymmetry. Rather, they suggest that pre-activation of conceptual features of the target category provides feedback to lexical forms that compensates for the weak connections between the lexical and conceptual representations of L2 words.

scholarly journals Making sense of the Sense Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Allen ◽  
Kathy Conklin ◽  
Walter J.B. van Heuven
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Priming Effect ◽  
First Language ◽  
Priming Effects ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Japanese English ◽  
Sense Model ◽  
Total Activation

Many studies have reported that first language (L1) translation primes speed responses to second language (L2) targets, whereas L2 translation primes generally do not speed up responses to L1 targets in lexical decision. According to the Sense Model (Finkbeiner, Forster, Nicol & Nakamura, 2004) this asymmetry is due to the proportion of senses activated by the prime. Because L2 primes activate only a subset of the L1 translations senses, priming is not observed. In this study we test the predictions of the Sense Model by using Japanese-English cognates, which allow us to manipulate the number of senses that words have in each language. Contrary to the predictions of the Sense Model, our results replicated the typical asymmetrical priming effects, suggesting that it is not the total activation of senses that drives the priming effect. Rather the results are more in line with theories that postulate slower, and thus ineffective, activation of semantics by L2 primes.

L2-L1 noncognate masked translation priming as a task-specific phenomenon

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Mark J. McPhedran ◽  
Stephen J. Lupker
Keyword(s):  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Priming Effects ◽  
Semantic Categorization ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Translation Priming ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
Listening Proficiency ◽  
Task Differences ◽  
Masked Translation Priming

Abstract The masked translation priming effect was examined in Chinese–English bilinguals using lexical decision and semantic categorization tasks in an effort to understand why the two tasks seem to produce different patterns of results. A machine-learning approach was used to assess the participant-based factors that contribute to the sizes of translation priming effects in these tasks. As expected, the participant-based factors that predicted translation priming effects did vary across tasks. Priming effects in lexical decision were associated with higher self-rated listening, reading, and writing abilities in English. Priming effects in semantic categorization were associated with more frequent use of English in daily life, spoken English proficiency, and self-rated listening proficiency in English. These results are discussed within the framework of Multilink, the logic of which is then expanded in an attempt to account for these task differences.

Cross-script L2-L1 noncognate translation priming in lexical decision depends on L2 proficiency: Evidence from Japanese–English bilinguals

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1001-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIKO NAKAYAMA ◽  
KEISUKE IDA ◽  
STEPHEN J. LUPKER
Keyword(s):  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Priming Effect ◽  
L2 Proficiency ◽  
Priming Effects ◽  
Null Results ◽  
Translation Priming ◽  
Japanese English ◽  
Masked Translation Priming ◽  
Sense Model

Previous research with unbalanced, different-script bilinguals has typically produced null L2-L1 noncognate masked translation priming effects in lexical decision tasks (LDT). Two novel models of the bilingual mental lexicon have emerged to account for these null results: the episodic L2 hypothesis and the Sense model. In contrast, the BIA+ model predicts significant priming whenever bilinguals are sufficiently proficient in L2. Using Japanese–English bilinguals, the role of L2 proficiency in L2-L1 noncognate translation priming in an LDT was examined. In Experiments 1 and 2, significant priming effects were observed for highly proficient bilinguals. In contrast, in Experiment 3, less-proficient bilinguals produced a null priming effect. This pattern demonstrates that L2-L1 priming effects do arise in an LDT and those effects are modulated by L2 proficiency, consistent with the BIA+ model's expectations. The pattern can be also explained by the episodic L2 hypothesis, provided that certain modifications are made to its assumptions.

Masked translation priming with semantic categorization: Testing the Sense Model

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
XIN WANG ◽  
KENNETH I. FORSTER
Keyword(s):  
Priming Effect ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Semantic Interpretation ◽  
Categorization Task ◽  
Semantic Categorization ◽  
Translation Priming ◽  
The Asymmetry ◽  
Masked Translation Priming ◽  
Sense Model

Four experiments are reported which were designed to test hypotheses concerning the asymmetry of masked translation priming. Experiment 1 confirmed the presence of L2–L1 priming with a semantic categorization task and demonstrated that this effect was restricted to exemplars. Experiment 2 showed that the translation priming effect was not due to response congruence. Experiment 3 replicated this finding, and demonstrated that the 150 ms backward mask that had been used in earlier translation priming experiments was not essential. Finally, it was demonstrated in Experiment 4 that L2–L1 priming was not obtained for an ad hoc category, indicating that priming was not obtained merely because the task required semantic interpretation. These results provide further support for the Sense Model proposed by Finkbeiner et al. (2004).

Masked Translation Priming Effects With Highly Proficient Simultaneous Bilinguals

2010 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Andoni Duñabeitia ◽  
Manuel Perea ◽  
Manuel Carreiras
Keyword(s):  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Hierarchical Model ◽  
Priming Effect ◽  
Masked Priming ◽  
The Other ◽  
Memory Organization ◽  
Priming Effects ◽  
Bilingual Memory ◽  
Translation Priming ◽  
Masked Translation Priming

One essential issue for models of bilingual memory organization is to what degree the representation from one of the languages is shared with the other language. In this study, we examine whether there is a symmetrical translation priming effect with highly proficient, simultaneous bilinguals. We conducted a masked priming lexical decision experiment with cognate and noncognate translation equivalents. Results showed a significant masked translation priming effect for both cognates and noncognates, with a greater priming effect for cognates. Furthermore, the magnitude of the translation priming was similar in the two directions. Thus, highly fluent bilinguals do develop symmetrical between-language links, as predicted by the Revised Hierarchical model and the BIA+ model. We examine the implications of these results for models of bilingual memory.

Making sense of polysemy relations in first and second language speakers of English

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 400-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A Crossley ◽  
Stephen Skalicky
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Target Word ◽  
First Language ◽  
English Word ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Priming Effects ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Second Language Speakers ◽  
Lexical Relations ◽  
Subsequent Target

The aim of this study is to compare priming effects for polysemous word senses among English first language (L1) and advanced second language (L2) speakers in order to better understand the development of the mental lexicon. Using polysemy values from WordNet, a lexical decision task was designed with three different target word conditions: dominant polysemy (i.e., closely related senses), subordinate polysemy (i.e., distantly related senses), and unrelated words. Participants first saw a prime word and then selected whether a subsequent target word was a valid English word or not. For example, SURVEY was followed by STUDY (dominant polsysemy) or VIEW (subordinate polysemy) or FLASH (unrelated) or SMOO (nonword). Forty-one L1 speakers and 45 advanced L2 speakers each completed 120 decisions. Results from linear mixed effects models suggest dominant senses were responded to significantly faster than unrelated senses ( t = −3.119, p = .002, marginal R2 = .066) for L1 participants, but there were no other significant differences among word conditions. No significant priming effects were found for L2 participants. These results suggest that, unlike other lexical relations, advanced L2 speakers do not form similar connections in the bilingual lexicon when compared to L1 speakers.

English idioms in the first language and second language lexicon: a dual representation approach

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beate Abel
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
First Language ◽  
Nonnative Speakers ◽  
Lexical Representation ◽  
Dual Representation ◽  
Figurative Meaning ◽  
Conceptual Representations

In two empirical studies, judgements that native speakers of German make about the decomposability of English idioms were investigated. A decomposable idiom is an idiom whose individual components contribute to its figurative meaning, whereas the constituents of a nondecomposable idiom do not make such a contribution. The findings were analysed and compared to native judgements. The Model of Dual Idiom Representation is introduced in order to explain the differences between the two groups. At the lexical level, the model postulates the parallel existence of idiom entries and constituent entries. The degree of decomposability and the frequency with which the idiom is encountered determine its lexical representation. If there is no idiom entry for a particular idiom, conceptual representations are accessed during comprehension. Because nonnative speakers encounter idioms less often than native speakers, the first language (L1) and second language (L2) lexicon vary with regard to the number of idiom entries.

DECOMPOSITION OF INFLECTED WORDS IN A SECOND LANGUAGE

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Neubauer ◽  
Harald Clahsen
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
First Language ◽  
Morphological Structure ◽  
Masked Priming ◽  
Combinatorial Structure ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
Acceptability Judgments ◽  
Morphological Parsing

German participles offer a distinction between regular forms that are suffixed with –t and do not exhibit any stem changes and irregular forms that all have the ending –n and sometimes undergo (largely unpredictable) stem changes. This article reports the results from a series of psycholinguistic experiments (acceptability judgments, lexical decision, and masked priming) that investigate regular and irregular participle forms in adult native speakers of German in comparison to advanced adult second language (L2) learners of German with Polish as their first language (L1). The most striking L1-L2 contrasts were found for regular participles. Although the L1 group’s performance was influenced by the combinatorial structure of regular participle forms, this was not the case for the L2 group. These findings suggest that adult L2 learners are less sensitive to morphological structure than native speakers and rely more on lexical storage than on morphological parsing during processing.

scholarly journals Semantic and translation priming from a first language to a second and back: Making sense of the findings

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 569-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofie Schoonbaert ◽  
Wouter Duyck ◽  
Marc Brysbaert ◽  
Robert J. Hartsuiker
Keyword(s):  
First Language ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Translation Priming

Translation Priming Between the Native Language and a Second Language

2009 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter Duyck ◽  
Nele Warlop
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Priming Effect ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Priming Effects ◽  
Translation Equivalent ◽  
Forward Translation ◽  
Translation Priming ◽  
Priming Paradigm ◽  
Word Forms ◽  
Masked Translation Priming

During the last two decades, bilingual research has adopted the masked translation priming paradigm as a tool to investigate the architecture of the bilingual language system. Although there is now a consensus about the existence of forward translation priming (from native language primes (L1) to second language (L2) translation equivalent targets), the backward translation priming effect (from L2 to L1) has only been reported in studies with bilinguals living in an L2 dominant environment. In a lexical decision experiment, we obtained significant translation priming in both directions, with unbalanced Dutch-French bilinguals living in an L1 dominant environment. Also, we demonstrated that these priming effects do not interact with a low-level visual prime feature such as font size. The obtained backward translation priming effect is consistent with the model of bilingual lexicosemantic organization of Duyck and Brysbaert (2004), which assumes strong mappings between L2 word forms and underlying semantic representations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document