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Language and Cognition

Language 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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Eye-tracking to Distinguish Comprehension-based and Oculomotor-based Regressive Eye Movements During Reading

Eye-tracking to Distinguish Comprehension-based and Oculomotor-based Regressive Eye Movements During Reading

Published on: October 18, 2018

Reading proficiency predicts spatial eye-movement control in the first and second language.

Daniil Gnetov¹, Victor Kuperman¹

¹Department of Linguistics and Languages, McMaster University.

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition

|February 8, 2024

Summary

Proficient English readers, both native and non-native, show distinct oculomotor control patterns. While generally efficient, advanced readers were less accurate in targeting optimal word viewing positions, challenging previous reading models.

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Last Updated: Jul 4, 2025

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Published on: November 30, 2018

Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Psycholinguistics
Eye-tracking Research

Background:

First language (L1) reading proficiency correlates with efficient oculomotor control (longer saccades, fewer refixations).
Limited evidence exists on oculomotor control in second language (L2) reading.
Optimal viewing position (OVP) is the word's center, crucial for efficient reading.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between English reading proficiency and oculomotor control in L1 and L2 readers.
To analyze spatial oculomotor measures using the Multilingual Eye-movement Corpus.
To explore theoretical implications for reading research, particularly regarding Fitts' law.

Main Methods:

Analysis of spatial oculomotor measures (saccade length, refixations, landing positions).
Utilized the Multilingual Eye-movement Corpus with 543 participants reading English text.
Included participants with 12 different first languages (L1s).

Main Results:

English reading proficiency significantly impacts oculomotor control for both L1 and L2 readers.
Replicated findings from L1 reading research regarding oculomotor efficiency.
More proficient English readers demonstrated reduced accuracy in targeting optimal viewing positions (OVPs).

Conclusions:

Reading proficiency is a key factor in oculomotor control for English readers, irrespective of L1.
The finding of decreased OVP targeting accuracy in proficient readers suggests a link to Fitts' law.
Novel insights into L2 reading and oculomotor control offer theoretical advancements for reading research.