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How L2 words are stored: the episodic L2 hypothesis
Naoko Ouchi Witzel1, Kenneth I Forster
1Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, USA. naoko@uta.edu
Summary
Second language (L2) words are represented in episodic memory, according to three experiments. Findings support the hypothesis that L2 word representations are stored in episodic memory, impacting bilingual language processing.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psycholinguistics
- Neuroscience of Language
Background:
- The representation of second language (L2) words in memory is a key question in psycholinguistics.
- Jiang and Forster (2001) proposed that L2 words are stored in episodic memory.
- Previous research has yielded mixed results regarding L2 word representation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether second language (L2) words are represented in episodic memory.
- To examine the role of episodic memory in bilingual lexical processing.
- To clarify the nature of L2 word representations in highly proficient bilinguals.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted using masked translation priming and masked repetition priming.
- Tasks included episodic recognition and lexical decision.
- Participants were highly proficient Chinese-English bilinguals and native English speakers.
Main Results:
- Masked translation priming from L2 to L1 was observed in an episodic recognition task, but not in a lexical decision task.
- Recently learned L2 words primed their L1 translations in episodic recognition.
- Repetition priming for new L2 words in an episodic recognition task indicated episodic representation.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis that L2 words are represented in episodic memory.
- Episodic memory plays a significant role in how bilinguals process their second language.
- Differences in priming effects between episodic recognition and lexical decision tasks highlight distinct memory systems involved in L2 processing.
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