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Age of Acquisition Effect in Second Language Emotion Word Recognition: A Cross-Task Validation
Tianai Li1, Chenggang Wu2,3, Juan Zhang4,5
1Key Laboratory of Multilingual Education with AI, School of Education, Shanghai International Studies University, Room 1306, 1550 Wenxiang Road, Songjiang, Shanghai, China.
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research
|February 28, 2026
Summary
This study reveals that the age of acquisition (AoA) significantly impacts second language (L2) emotion word recognition. Early-acquired words and those with positive valence and high arousal are processed faster by bilinguals.
Area of Science:
- Psycholinguistics
- Second Language Acquisition
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The influence of Age of Acquisition (AoA) on second language (L2) processing is well-researched.
- However, the interplay between AoA, emotion, valence, and arousal in L2 emotion word recognition requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of objective AoA, valence, and arousal on English emotion word recognition in Chinese-English bilinguals.
- To examine the interaction between these affective components and AoA.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted: a valence judgment task and a lexical decision task.
- Participants were Chinese-English bilinguals.
Main Results:
- A significant objective AoA effect was confirmed, with earlier acquired words processed faster.
- Positive valence and high arousal facilitated emotion word recognition.
- Independent impacts of AoA, valence, and arousal on L2 emotion word recognition were evidenced.
Conclusions:
- AoA, valence, and arousal independently influence L2 emotion word recognition.
- Findings support the disembodied account and semantic hypothesis for L2 AoA effects.
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