Examining modal and amodal language processing in proficient bilinguals: evidence from the modality-switch paradigm

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Psycholinguistics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Embodied processing is crucial for language comprehension, but its role in second language (L2) acquisition is debated.
• Theories suggest L2 processing relies more on abstract amodal symbols than the first language (L1).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the contribution of modal (embodied) processing in L1 and L2.
• To test the hypothesis that L2 processing involves higher abstract amodal symbol processing than L1.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the modality-switch paradigm with proficient German and French bilinguals (N=79).
• Participants performed a noun-adjective compatibility task in both languages, involving switches between sensory modalities.
• Measured response latency to detect modality switch effects (MSE).

Main Results:

• Observed significant modality switch effects (MSE) in both L1 and L2 for French.
• Found a weak but significant L1 MSE for German, with no significant L2 MSE.
• Contrary to the hypothesis, embodied processing was evident in both L1 and L2.

Conclusions:

• Embodied language processing extends to L2, challenging the assumption of predominantly abstract processing.
• Language-specific differences exist in the interplay between modal and amodal processing.
• The findings suggest a more nuanced view of L2 language comprehension.