Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
05:31
Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task
Published on: February 26, 2020
Bilingual processing of ASL-English code-blends: The consequences of accessing two lexical representations
Karen Emmorey1, Jennifer Petrich, Tamar H Gollan
1San Diego State University, Lab for Language and Cognitive Neuroscience, 6495 Alvarado Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92120, USA, .
Journal of Memory and Language
|July 10, 2012
Summary
Bimodal bilinguals can simultaneously produce American Sign Language (ASL) and English words (code-blending) without cognitive cost, and even benefit from it during comprehension. This suggests efficient language switching mechanisms in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Psycholinguistics
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Bilingualism Research
Background:
- Bimodal bilinguals fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and English often engage in code-blending, simultaneously producing signs and words.
- Understanding the cognitive processes behind code-blending is crucial for insights into bilingual language processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive mechanisms of code-blending in ASL-English bilinguals.
- To compare processing times for code-blends versus unimodal language production and comprehension.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1: Measured picture-naming times for code-blends vs. individual ASL signs or English words.
- Experiment 2: Assessed semantic categorization times under similar conditions.
- Compared production and comprehension tasks.
Main Results:
- Code-blending did not impede ASL lexical retrieval and facilitated low-frequency sign access.
- Simultaneous production delayed English speech onset due to synchronized lexical timing.
- Code-blending accelerated comprehension in both ASL and English.
- No significant processing costs were observed for code-blending.
Conclusions:
- Bimodal bilinguals possess mechanisms to suppress language competition during simultaneous production.
- Code-blending facilitates cross-linguistic integration at phonological and semantic levels during comprehension.
- The lack of processing costs explains the prevalence of code-blending over code-switching in this population.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
01:20Parallel Processing
The brain processes sensory information rapidly due to parallel processing, which involves sending data across multiple neural pathways at the same time. This method allows the brain to manage various sensory qualities, such as shapes, colors, movements, and locations, all concurrently. For instance, when observing a forest landscape, the brain simultaneously processes the movement of leaves, the shapes of trees, the depth between them, and the various shades of green. This enables a quick and...
01:28Lateralization
Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
01:24Components of Language
Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs. “eh”). Phonemes combine to...
01:22Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory
Improving short-term memory can be achieved through techniques like chunking and rehearsal. Chunking involves organizing information into larger, more manageable units. This technique is particularly useful for information that exceeds the typical memory span of between five and nine items. For instance, logging into an online account with a password like "ta89vq0179gz" involves grouping letters and numbers into three chunks—ta89, vq01, and 79gz. It makes large amounts of information more...