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Cognitive Fluency in L2: The Effect of Automatic and Controlled Lexical Processing on Speech Rate
Sanna Olkkonen1,2, Patrick Snellings3,4, Outi Veivo5
1Department of English, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. sanna.olkkonen@utu.fi.
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research
|August 19, 2024
Summary
Cognitive fluency, specifically attention control, impacts second language (L2) speech rate in advanced English learners. This research clarifies how cognitive processing efficiency influences L2 speaking performance.
Area of Science:
- Psycholinguistics
- Cognitive Science
- Second Language Acquisition
Background:
- Second language (L2) speech fluency is influenced by L2 proficiency, cognitive processing efficiency, and speaking styles.
- The concept of cognitive fluency, particularly its link to speech rate, remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of cognitive processing efficiency on the speech rate of advanced Finnish learners of English (L2).
- To operationalize cognitive fluency through measures of lexical access automaticity and attention control.
Main Methods:
- Assessed cognitive fluency using rapid word recognition (lexical access) and the Stroop task (attention control) in both L1 (Finnish) and L2 (English).
- Measured speech rate during a monologue task as the primary indicator of speaking performance.
- Analyzed the relationship between cognitive fluency measures and L2 speech rate, controlling for L1 variables.
Main Results:
- L2 attention control measures explained a small but significant portion of the variance in L2 speech rate.
- These findings remained consistent after accounting for L1 speech rate and L1 cognitive fluency.
- The study examined processing similarities and differences between L1 and L2.
Conclusions:
- Attention control, a component of cognitive fluency, plays a role in L2 speech rate, even in advanced learners.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of cognitive fluency and its impact on second language speaking proficiency.
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