1
|
Timofeeva P, Quiñones I, Geng S, de Bruin A, Carreiras M, Amoruso L. Behavioral and oscillatory signatures of switch costs in highly proficient bilinguals. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7725. [PMID: 37173436 PMCID: PMC10176297 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34895-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bilinguals with a high proficiency in their first (L1) and second language (L2) often show comparable reaction times when switching from their L1 to L2 and vice-versa ("symmetrical switch costs"). However, the neurophysiological signatures supporting this effect are not well understood. Here, we ran two separate experiments and assessed behavioral and MEG responses in highly proficient Spanish-Basque bilinguals while they overtly name pictures in a mixed-language context. In the behavioral experiment, bilinguals were slower when naming items in switch relative to non-switch trials, and this switch cost was comparable for both languages (symmetrical). The MEG experiment mimicked the behavioral one, with switch trials showing more desynchronization than non-switch trials across languages (symmetric neural cost) in the alpha band (8-13 Hz). Source-localization revealed the engagement of right parietal and premotor areas, which have been linked to language selection and inhibitory control; and of the left anterior temporal lobe (ATL), a cross-linguistic region housing conceptual knowledge that generalizes across languages. Our results suggest that highly proficient bilinguals implement a language-independent mechanism, supported by alpha oscillations, which is involved in cue-based language selection and facilitates conceptually-driven lexical access in the ATL, possibly by inhibiting non-target lexical items or disinhibiting target ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Polina Timofeeva
- BCBL, Basque Center On Brain, Language and Cognition, Paseo Mikeletegi 69, 2nd floor, 20009, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), 20009, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ileana Quiñones
- BCBL, Basque Center On Brain, Language and Cognition, Paseo Mikeletegi 69, 2nd floor, 20009, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Shuang Geng
- BCBL, Basque Center On Brain, Language and Cognition, Paseo Mikeletegi 69, 2nd floor, 20009, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), 20009, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Angela de Bruin
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Manuel Carreiras
- BCBL, Basque Center On Brain, Language and Cognition, Paseo Mikeletegi 69, 2nd floor, 20009, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), 20009, San Sebastian, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48940, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Lucia Amoruso
- BCBL, Basque Center On Brain, Language and Cognition, Paseo Mikeletegi 69, 2nd floor, 20009, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48940, Bilbao, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Boos M, Kobi M, Elmer S, Jäncke L. Tracking Lexical Access and Code-Switching in Multilingual Participants with Different Degrees of Simultaneous Interpretation Expertise. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:4869-4888. [PMID: 35904767 PMCID: PMC9544540 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
With the worldwide increase in people speaking more than one language, a better understanding of the behavioural and neural mechanisms governing lexical selection, lexical access in multiple languages and code switching has attracted widespread interest from several disciplines. Previous studies documented higher costs when processing a non‐native (L2) than a native (L1) language or when switching from L2 to L1. However, studies on auditory language reception are still scarce and did not take into account the degree of switching experience. Accordingly, in the present study, we combined behavioural and electrophysiological measurements to assess lexical access in L1 and L2 as well as code switching in professional simultaneous interpreters, trainee interpreters, foreign language teachers and Anglistics students, while the participants performed a bilingual auditory lexical decision task. The purpose of this study was to expand the knowledge on code switching in auditory language processing and examine whether the degree of simultaneous interpretation experience might reduce switching costs. As a main result, we revealed that L2 compared to L1 trials, as well as switch compared to non‐switch trials, generally resulted in lower accuracies, longer reaction times and increased N400 amplitudes in all groups of participants. Otherwise, we did not reveal any influence of switching direction and interpretation expertise on N400 parameters. Taken together, these results suggest that a late age of L2 acquisition leads to switching costs, irrespective of proficiency level. Furthermore, we provided first evidence that simultaneous interpretation training does not diminish switching costs, at least when focusing on lexical access.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Boos
- Division Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Kobi
- Division Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Elmer
- Division Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Computational Neuroscience of Speech & Hearing, Department of Computational Linguistics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lutz Jäncke
- Division Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program (URPP) "Dynamics of Healthy Aging", University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tao L, Wang G, Zhu M, Cai Q. Bilingualism and domain-general cognitive functions from a neural perspective: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:264-295. [PMID: 33631315 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A large body of research has indicated that bilingualism - through continual practice in language control - may impact cognitive functions, as well as relevant aspects of brain function and structure. The present review aimed to bring together findings on the relationship between bilingualism and domain-general cognitive functions from a neural perspective. The final sample included 210 studies, covering findings regarding neural responses to bilingual language control and/or domain-general cognitive tasks, as well as findings regarding effects of bilingualism on non-task-related brain function and brain structure. The evidence indicates that a) bilingual language control likely entails neural mechanisms responsible for domain-general cognitive functions; b) bilingual experiences impact neural responses to domain-general cognitive functions; and c) bilingual experiences impact non-task-related brain function (both resting-state and metabolic function) as well as aspects of brain structure (both macrostructure and microstructure), each of which may in turn impact mental processes, including domain-general cognitive functions. Such functional and structural neuroplasticity associated with bilingualism may contribute to both cognitive and neural reserves, producing benefits across the lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lily Tao
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE & STCSM), Shanghai Changning-ECNU Mental Health Center, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, China
| | - Gongting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE & STCSM), Shanghai Changning-ECNU Mental Health Center, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, China
| | - Miaomiao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE & STCSM), Shanghai Changning-ECNU Mental Health Center, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, China
| | - Qing Cai
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE & STCSM), Shanghai Changning-ECNU Mental Health Center, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, China; Institute of Brain and Education Innovation, East China Normal University, China; NYU-ECNU Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science, New York University Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ding G, Mohr KAJ, Orellana CI, Hancock AS, Juth S, Wada R, Gillam RB. Use of Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Assess Syntactic Processing by Monolingual and Bilingual Adults and Children. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:621025. [PMID: 33633555 PMCID: PMC7902003 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.621025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This exploratory study assessed the use of functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine hemodynamic response patterns during sentence processing. Four groups of participants: monolingual English children, bilingual Chinese-English children, bilingual Chinese-English adults and monolingual English adults were given an agent selection syntactic processing task. Bilingual child participants were classified as simultaneous or sequential bilinguals to examine the impact of first language, age of second-language acquisition (AoL2A), and the length of second language experience on behavioral performance and cortical activation. Participants were asked to select the agent of four types of sentences: subject-verb-object (SVO), passive (PAS), subject-extracted relative clause (SR), and object-extracted relative clause (OR) adopted from the “Whatdunit” task by Montgomery et al. (2016). Semantic cues were removed by using inanimate nouns for agents and patients, which constrained participants to make decisions based on syntactic knowledge. Behavioral results showed greater accuracy for canonical SVO and SR sentence types than for noncanonical OR and PAS sentence types, which aligns with prior studies. Neuroimaging results revealed greater hemodynamic responses to relative clauses (i.e., SR and OR sentences) than to simple sentences (SVO and PAS), especially for Chinese-English bilinguals suggesting first-language transfer influencing sentence processing in English. The effects AoL2A and the length of second language experience showed no significant differences between simultaneous and sequential bilinguals or between bilingual adults and children for identifying the correct agent in each sentence. However, neuroimaging results demonstrated greater hemodynamic responses in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) in simultaneous bilinguals compared to sequential bilinguals and greater hemodynamic responses in left and right DLPFC and left IPL among bilingual adults. Different behavioral and neural hemodynamic response patterns afford new insights into the effects of syntactic knowledge on sentence processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guoqin Ding
- School of Teacher Education and Leadership, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Kathleen A J Mohr
- School of Teacher Education and Leadership, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Carla I Orellana
- Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Allison S Hancock
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Stephanie Juth
- School of Teacher Education and Leadership, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Rebekah Wada
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Francis Marion University, Florence, SC, United States
| | - Ronald B Gillam
- Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schaeffner S, Philipp AM. Modality-specific effects in bilingual language perception. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/20445911.2019.1698584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schaeffner
- Institute of Psychology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ma H, Bai J, Shen T, Lu G, Jia L. [Progresses in the understanding of bilingual switching mechanisms based on neuroimaging techniques]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2019; 39:1260-1264. [PMID: 31801704 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2019.10.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In the field of bilingualism research, a key scientific question is how bilinguals process two language systems, particularly the effective switch from one language to another, namely bilingual code switching. With the rapid development of neuroimaging techniques, important progresses have been made in bilingual processing studies, especially in code switching. However, consensus has not been achieved regarding the mechanisms of bilingual code switching. Bilingual switching studies using neuropsychological and neuroimaging techniques have gained insights into the temporal and spatial features of the language switching process and the neurological mechanism, which provide direct evidence for the generation mechanism of bilingual code switching.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hengfen Ma
- School of Foreign Languages, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300, China
| | - Jingting Bai
- School of Foreign Languages, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300, China
| | - Tong Shen
- School of Foreign Languages, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300, China
| | - Guohua Lu
- Department of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Liping Jia
- Department of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gonzales K, Byers-Heinlein K, Lotto AJ. How bilinguals perceive speech depends on which language they think they're hearing. Cognition 2018; 182:318-330. [PMID: 30415133 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2018.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 08/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Bilinguals understand when the communication context calls for speaking a particular language and can switch from speaking one language to speaking the other based on such conceptual knowledge. There is disagreement regarding whether conceptually-based language selection is also possible in the listening modality. For example, can bilingual listeners perceptually adjust to changes in pronunciation across languages based on their conceptual understanding of which language they're currently hearing? We asked French- and Spanish-English bilinguals to identify nonsense monosyllables as beginning with /b/ or /p/, speech categories that French and Spanish speakers pronounce differently than English speakers. We conceptually cued each bilingual group to one of their two languages or the other by explicitly instructing them that the speech items were word onsets in that language, uttered by a native speaker thereof. Both groups adjusted their /b-p/ identification boundary as a function of this conceptual cue to the language context. These results support a bilingual model permitting conceptually-based language selection on both the speaking and listening end of a communicative exchange.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrew J Lotto
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hut SC, Helenius P, Leminen A, Mäkelä JP, Lehtonen M. Language control mechanisms differ for native languages: Neuromagnetic evidence from trilingual language switching. Neuropsychologia 2017; 107:108-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
|
9
|
Hut SCA, Leminen A. Shaving Bridges and Tuning Kitaraa: The Effect of Language Switching on Semantic Processing. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1438. [PMID: 28900402 PMCID: PMC5581842 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Language switching has been repeatedly found to be costly. Yet, there are reasons to believe that switches in language might benefit language comprehension in some groups of people, such as less proficient language learners. This study therefore investigated the interplay between language switching and semantic processing in groups with varying language proficiency. EEG was recorded while L2 learners of English with intermediate and high proficiency levels read semantically congruent or incongruent sentences in L2. Translations of congruent and incongruent target words were additionally presented in L1 to create intrasentential language switches. A control group of English native speakers was tested in order to compare responses to non-switched stimuli with those of L2 learners. An omnibus ANOVA including all groups revealed larger N400 responses for non-switched incongruent stimuli compared to congruent stimuli. Additionally, despite switches to L1 at target word position, semantic N400 responses were still elicited in both L2 learner groups. Further switching effects were reflected by an N400-like effect and a late positivity complex, pointing to possible parsing efforts after language switches. Our results therefore show that although language switches are associated with increased mental effort, switches may not necessarily be costly on the semantic level. This finding contributes to the ongoing discussion on language inhibition processes, and shows that, in these intermediate and high proficient L2 learners, semantic processes look similar to those of native speakers of English.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne C A Hut
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland.,Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland
| | - Alina Leminen
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland.,Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|