Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
05:33
Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effect of Induced Emotion on Grammar Learning
Published on: January 29, 2020
The Effect of Second-Language Experience on Native-Language Processing
Margarita Kaushanskaya1, Jeewon Yoo, Viorica Marian
1University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Vigo International Journal of Applied Linguistics
|November 6, 2012
Summary
Second-language experiences impact native language skills. For English-Spanish bilinguals, Spanish reading ability boosted English reading fluency, but for English-Mandarin bilinguals, Mandarin reading ability decreased English reading fluency.
Area of Science:
- Psycholinguistics
- Cognitive Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Bilingual language processing research shows native language skills can affect second language acquisition.
- Understanding the reciprocal influence of second-language experiences on native language skills is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how second-language experiences influence native-language vocabulary and reading skills in bilingual adults.
- To compare these effects across different language pairs with varying writing systems.
Main Methods:
- Tested English-Spanish and English-Mandarin bilingual adults on English vocabulary and reading fluency.
- Collected detailed data on second language acquisition history, including age, exposure, proficiency, and usage preference.
Main Results:
- Both bilingual groups performed similarly on native-language vocabulary and reading measures.
- English-Spanish bilinguals with higher Spanish reading skills showed enhanced English reading fluency.
- English-Mandarin bilinguals with higher Mandarin reading skills exhibited reduced English reading fluency.
Conclusions:
- Second-language experiences significantly influence native-language performance.
- The impact can be facilitative or detrimental, depending on the second language's writing system properties.
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...
01:28Lateralization
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.
01:22Language Development
Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
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...
01:28Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior
Automatic processing refers to the cognitive operations that occur without conscious intent or awareness, playing a fundamental role in shaping social cognition and behavior. These processes enable individuals to navigate complex social environments efficiently by relying on mental shortcuts and pre-existing knowledge structures known as schemas. One of the most influential mechanisms underlying automatic processing is priming, which subtly activates mental representations through exposure to...