Within- and between-language competition in adult second language learners: implications for language proficiency

Abstract

Second language (L2) learners must not only acquire L2 knowledge (i.e. vocabulary and grammar), but they must also rapidly access this knowledge. In monolinguals, efficient spoken word recognition is accomplished via lexical competition, by which listeners activate a range of candidates that compete for recognition as the signal unfolds. We examined this in adult L2 learners, investigating lexical competition both amongst words of the L2, and between L2 and native language (L1) words. Adult L2 learners (N=33) in their third semester of college Spanish completed a cross-linguistic Visual World Paradigm task to assess lexical activation, along with proficiency assessment (LexTALE-Esp). L2 learners showed typical incremental processing activating both within-L2 and cross-linguistic competitors, similar to fluent bilinguals. Proficiency correlated with both the speed of activating the target (which prior work links to the developmental progression in L1) and the degree to which competition ultimately resolves (linked to robustness of the lexicon).

Efficiency of spoken word recognition slows across the adult lifespan

“…Previous work has identified poor competitor resolution as a hallmark of Developmental Language Disorder (McMurray et al, 2010) and it has also been recently observed in second language learners (Sarrett et al, 2021), suggesting it is a marker of less stable lexical competition. Here we see it with typical aging, potentially providing a mechanism for prior results…”

“…It is unclear what should be observed with aging as prior work has not evaluated VWP with this level of specificity. In addition, if cognitive decline reflects instability in language processing, we should observe changes in resolution (Figure 1C) as is often seen in conditions like Developmental Language Disorder (McMurray et al, 2010) or for words acquired in a second language (Sarrett et al, 2021). We did not anticipate this would be observed in the adolescent range as prior work has shown only changes in activation rate.…”

The Slow Development of Real-Time Processing: Spoken-Word Recognition as a Crucible for New Thinking About Language Acquisition and Language Disorders

“…Second-language acquisition may present similar challenges, as learners must recognize words with poor representations and manage competition from two lexica. Diagnostics of activation rate and resolution can reveal whether poor performance is due to a lack of practice or difficulties managing competition (Sarrett et al, in 2022).…”

Commentary: L2 Phonology: Where Theory, Data, and Methods Meet

“…Recent work has shown that both phonology and phonetics play a key role in lexical encoding of contrasts. Combining this with studies examining how cues to, say, syllable structure unfold in real time and affect lexical competition in bilinguals (Sarrett et al, 2021 ) is necessary to gain a fuller picture of L2 phonological development.…”