Involvement of the sensorimotor system in less advanced L2 processing: Evidence from a semantic category decision...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Neuroscience
• Second Language Acquisition

Background:

• Growing evidence links the sensorimotor system to advanced second language (L2) processing.
• The role of sensorimotor information in less advanced L2 comprehension remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of sensorimotor information in L2 comprehension for learners with low proficiency.
• To determine if sensorimotor associations are automatic or dependent on task demands in early L2 development.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted using a lexical decision task (LDT) and a semantic category task (SCT).
• Participants judged word properties in LDT and categorized stimuli in SCT, with a focus on 'up' and 'down' related words.

Main Results:

• In the LDT, no significant differences in response times were observed for 'up' or 'down' words.
• In the SCT, compatibility effects emerged: 'up' words facilitated 'up' target search, and 'down' words facilitated 'down' target search.

Conclusions:

• L2 sensorimotor associations are not automatic in low-proficiency learners.
• These associations are contingent on deeper semantic task demands rather than superficial word properties.