Sub-Lexical Processing of Chinese–English Bilinguals: An ERP Analysis
Previous research has established that bilinguals automatically activate lexical items in both of their languages in a nonselectivemanner, even when processing linguistic information in the second language (L2) alone. However, whether this co-activation extends to the sub-lexical level remains debat...
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2024-09-01
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| author | Yihan Chen Eleonora Rossi |
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| description | Previous research has established that bilinguals automatically activate lexical items in both of their languages in a nonselectivemanner, even when processing linguistic information in the second language (L2) alone. However, whether this co-activation extends to the sub-lexical level remains debated. In this study, we investigate whether bilinguals access sub-lexical information while processing in their L2. Thirty-two Chinese–English bilinguals and thirty-one English monolinguals completed an EEG-based semantic relatedness task, during which they judged whether pairs of English words were related in meaning or not (±S). Unbeknownst to the participants, the form (±F) of the Chinese translations in half of the pairs shared a sub-lexical semantic radical. This leads to four conditions: +S+F, +S−F, −S+F, and −S−F. This design, along with the comparison to English monolinguals, allows us to examine if bilinguals’ native language is activated at the sub-lexical level when they are exposed only to L2. The results revealed that both groups showed sensitivity to semantic relatedness, as evidenced by a greater N400 for semantic unrelated pairs than related pairs, with monolinguals eliciting a more pronounced difference. Bilinguals, on the other hand, exhibited a greater P200 difference compared to monolinguals, indicating greater sensitivity to the hidden Chinese radical/form manipulation. These results suggest that highly proficient bilinguals automatically engage in lexical co-activation of their native language during L2 processing. Crucially, this co-activation extends to the sub-lexical semantic radical level. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-972f1e074aa44eb7925637f90ea6c8432025-08-20T01:56:11ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252024-09-0114992310.3390/brainsci14090923Sub-Lexical Processing of Chinese–English Bilinguals: An ERP AnalysisYihan Chen0Eleonora Rossi1Department of Linguistics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USADepartment of Linguistics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USAPrevious research has established that bilinguals automatically activate lexical items in both of their languages in a nonselectivemanner, even when processing linguistic information in the second language (L2) alone. However, whether this co-activation extends to the sub-lexical level remains debated. In this study, we investigate whether bilinguals access sub-lexical information while processing in their L2. Thirty-two Chinese–English bilinguals and thirty-one English monolinguals completed an EEG-based semantic relatedness task, during which they judged whether pairs of English words were related in meaning or not (±S). Unbeknownst to the participants, the form (±F) of the Chinese translations in half of the pairs shared a sub-lexical semantic radical. This leads to four conditions: +S+F, +S−F, −S+F, and −S−F. This design, along with the comparison to English monolinguals, allows us to examine if bilinguals’ native language is activated at the sub-lexical level when they are exposed only to L2. The results revealed that both groups showed sensitivity to semantic relatedness, as evidenced by a greater N400 for semantic unrelated pairs than related pairs, with monolinguals eliciting a more pronounced difference. Bilinguals, on the other hand, exhibited a greater P200 difference compared to monolinguals, indicating greater sensitivity to the hidden Chinese radical/form manipulation. These results suggest that highly proficient bilinguals automatically engage in lexical co-activation of their native language during L2 processing. Crucially, this co-activation extends to the sub-lexical semantic radical level.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/9/923sub-lexical processingbilingualismP200N400 |
| spellingShingle | Yihan Chen Eleonora Rossi Sub-Lexical Processing of Chinese–English Bilinguals: An ERP Analysis Brain Sciences sub-lexical processing bilingualism P200 N400 |
| title | Sub-Lexical Processing of Chinese–English Bilinguals: An ERP Analysis |
| title_full | Sub-Lexical Processing of Chinese–English Bilinguals: An ERP Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Sub-Lexical Processing of Chinese–English Bilinguals: An ERP Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sub-Lexical Processing of Chinese–English Bilinguals: An ERP Analysis |
| title_short | Sub-Lexical Processing of Chinese–English Bilinguals: An ERP Analysis |
| title_sort | sub lexical processing of chinese english bilinguals an erp analysis |
| topic | sub-lexical processing bilingualism P200 N400 |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/9/923 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yihanchen sublexicalprocessingofchineseenglishbilingualsanerpanalysis AT eleonorarossi sublexicalprocessingofchineseenglishbilingualsanerpanalysis |