Language Dominance and Lexical-Semantic Processing in Bilingual Toddlers
Loading...
Date
2020
Authors
Ward, Abbey Lee
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Prior research suggests that language systems interact in bilingual individuals. The current study seeks to extend prior work by investigating whether or not bilingual toddlers exhibit cross-language priming effects and to what extent measures of proficiency versus exposure modulate lexical-semantic processing within and across languages. Here we present findings on a group of Spanish-English bilingual toddlers at 24 months of age (N = 20). Consistent with prior literature, toddlers demonstrated cross-language priming effects, suggesting that language systems interact in the second year of life. Additionally, our results indicate that lexical-semantic processing is related to language proficiency, such that vocabulary was a stronger predictor than cumulative exposure. Surprisingly, proficiency measured by vocabulary size and speed of word recognition either facilitated or inhibited lexical-semantic processing, dependent on language condition. Together these findings demonstrate that proficiency modulates lexical-semantic processing within and across languages.
Description
68 pages
Keywords
Graduation AuditThesis Prospectus, Bilingual Development, Communication, Lexical-semantic Processing, Language Dominance, Bilingual Spanish-English, Cross-language Interaction, Bilingual Toddlers