L₁ and L₂ Spoken Word Processing: Evidence from Divided Attention Paradigm

The present study aims to reveal some facts concerning first language (L₁) and second language (L₂) spoken-word processing in unbalanced proficient bilinguals using behavioral measures. The intention here is to examine the effects of auditory repetition word priming and semantic priming in first and second languages of these bilinguals. The other goal is to explore the effects of attention manipulation on implicit retrieval of perceptual and conceptual properties of spoken L₁ and L₂ words. In so doing, the participants performed auditory word priming and semantic priming as memory tests in their L₁ and L₂. In a half of the trials of each experiment, they carried out the memory test while simultaneously performing a secondary task in visual modality. The results revealed that effects of auditory word priming and semantic priming were present when participants processed L₁ and L₂ words in full attention condition. Attention manipulation could reduce priming magnitude in both experiments in L₂. Moreover, L₂ word retrieval increases the reaction times and reduces accuracy on the simultaneous secondary task to protect its own accuracy and speed.