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Working Memory and Cross-Linguistic Influence on Vocabulary Acquisition
Elizabeth Flores-Salgado1, Aldo Falú Gutiérrez-Koyoc1
1Facultad de Lenguas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P. 72000, Mexico.
Previously learned languages significantly impact vocabulary acquisition. This study found that language typology and working memory capacity influence how well bilingual adults learn new languages like French and Nahuatl.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Linguistics
- Second Language Acquisition
Background:
- Cross-linguistic influence is a key factor in bilingualism.
- Working memory capacity is crucial for language learning.
- Understanding how language typology affects cognitive processes is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare working memory capacities in bilingual adults across two distinct languages.
- To analyze the influence of previously learned languages on vocabulary performance.
- To investigate the relationship between language typology, working memory, and vocabulary acquisition in French and Nahuatl.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study with 43 Mexican Spanish college students.
- Administration of working memory tasks in Nahuatl and French.
- Analysis of vocabulary performance in relation to language typology and working memory.
Main Results:
- Working memory capacities were found to be lower for Nahuatl compared to French.
- A significant correlation was observed between first/second language background and French vocabulary performance.
- Language typology and working memory capacity interact to influence vocabulary acquisition.
Conclusions:
- Previously learned languages exert a significant influence on vocabulary acquisition.
- Working memory capacity plays a mediating role in the relationship between language background and vocabulary learning.
- Language typology is an important consideration in understanding cross-linguistic influence and second language acquisition.
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