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Neural effects differ for learning highly iconic versus non-iconic signs in hearing adults
Emily M Akers1, Katherine J Midgley1, Phillip J Holcomb1
1Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.
Bilingualism (Cambridge, England)
|November 8, 2024
Summary
Hearing adults learning American Sign Language (ASL) show changes in neural processing. The N400 priming effect for iconic signs decreased after learning, unlike non-iconic signs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Linguistics
Background:
- Neural mechanisms of sign language acquisition in hearing adults are not well understood.
- The N400 event-related potential (ERP) component reflects lexico-semantic processing.
- Iconicity in sign language may influence initial learning and processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural changes associated with learning American Sign Language (ASL) in hearing adults.
- To examine the role of sign iconicity in the N400 priming effect before and after learning.
- To compare processing in hearing learners with deaf native signers.
Main Methods:
- Event-related potentials (ERPs) and a word-sign matching task were used.
- Thirty-two English monolinguals learned 100 ASL signs (half iconic, half non-iconic).
- Twenty deaf ASL signers served as a control group.
Main Results:
- Iconic signs required less learning, showing similar accuracy pre- and post-learning.
- An N400 priming effect was initially present only for iconic signs.
- After learning, the N400 effect increased for non-iconic signs but decreased for iconic signs.
- Iconicity did not affect the N400 priming effect in deaf signers.
Conclusions:
- Learning reduces the influence of iconicity on lexico-semantic processing in ASL.
- Acquired signs become integrated into a visual-manual lexicon, similar to spoken words.
- Neural processing of learned signs shifts away from reliance on visual resemblance.
