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The processing of two-digit numbers in bilinguals.
Pedro Macizo1, Amparo Herrera, Patricia Román
1University of Granada, Spain University of Murcia, Spain University Jaume I, Spain. pmacizo@ugr.es
British Journal of Psychology (London, England : 1953)
|July 15, 2011
Summary
Bilinguals process number words differently in their first (L1) and second (L2) languages. Language processing in L1 does not dictate L2 number word processing, indicating selective language use.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psycholinguistics
- Bilingualism Research
Background:
- Understanding how bilingual individuals process numerical information across languages is crucial for cognitive science.
- Previous research suggests language influences numerical cognition, but the extent of this influence in two-digit number word processing remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cross-linguistic influences on the processing of two-digit number words in bilinguals.
- To determine if the first language (L1) processing of number words affects the processing of the second language (L2).
Main Methods:
- Spanish/English and German/English bilinguals completed a number comparison task using Arabic digits and number words.
- Participants processed numbers in their L1 and L2 under conditions of manipulated unit-decade compatibility.
- Behavioral responses were analyzed to assess compatibility effects.
Main Results:
- Both bilingual groups exhibited a regular compatibility effect with Arabic digits.
- Spanish/English bilinguals showed a reverse compatibility effect in their L1, while German/English bilinguals showed a regular effect.
- Both groups displayed a reverse compatibility effect when processing English (L2) number words, irrespective of their L1.
Conclusions:
- Bilinguals process two-digit number words selectively in their L1 and L2.
- The processing of number words in a bilingual's L2 is not determined by their L1.
- Bilinguals do not automatically transcode L2 number words into an Arabic digit format for processing.
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