Transcoding number words to typed multi-digit numerals: revisiting the strange case in Arabic bilinguals

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Linguistics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Numerical task performance is influenced by language-specific structures.
• Number word systems vary in their sequencing of decades and units (e.g., inverted vs. non-inverted formats).
• Previous research explored handwriting transcoding; this study examines typing performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of number word system format (inverted vs. non-inverted) on numerical transcoding in Arabic-Hebrew bilinguals.
• To compare typing-based transcoding performance across different languages (Arabic, Hebrew, English).
• To determine if language dominance or proficiency affects transcoding routines.

Main Methods:

• Participants: Arabic-Hebrew bilingual university students.
• Task: Transcoding verbally presented multi-digit numbers into typed numerals.
• Conditions: Numbers presented in Arabic (inverted), Hebrew (non-inverted), and English (non-inverted) number word formats.

Main Results:

• Arabic-Hebrew bilinguals showed inferior transcoding performance with the standard Arabic inverted number word format.
• Transcoding was most fluent when numbers were presented in Hebrew, a language of high proficiency.
• Transcoding ability was similar for Arabic and English number word formats, despite differing proficiency levels.

Conclusions:

• The number word system significantly impacts numerical transcoding, even in proficient bilingual adults.
• Language proficiency and the inherent structure of the number word system interact to influence transcoding fluency.
• Transcoding routines are susceptible to language-specific numerical structures, irrespective of overall language dominance.