First language attrition meets second language learning: interaction of linguistic and executive control factors in late bilinguals
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Philosophy Psychology & Language
Abstract
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Organisations
Publications
Sorace A
(2016)
Referring expressions and executive functions in bilingualism
in Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism
Chamorro G
(2019)
The Oxford Handbook of Language Attrition
Sorace A
(2019)
L1 attrition in a wider perspective
in Second Language Research
| Description | Traditionally, language knowledge acquired in childhood has been considered to be largely stable over time. However, this idea has recently been challenged, resulting in a view of language as adaptive. This project examined the dynamic nature of human language by comparing two late bilingual groups: speakers undergoing native language attrition due to long-term exposure to a second language (L1 attriters) and second language (L2) learners, who have acquired a second language post puberty. We hypothesized that the similarity between L1 attriters and L2 learners can be attributed to a competition between the resources needed to select the appropriate language when processing an utterance and those required by coordinating grammar and context. This competition should manifest itself when bilinguals have to switch languages: in this situation, the executive control system (that distributes attention between tasks) has an increased resource demand, thus context effects should be clearly visible. The aims of the project were to: (a) systematically compare L1 attriters and L2 learners in their language comprehension of structures that depend in different degree on contextual factors; (b) test the hypothesis that competition for processing resources underlies the similar behavior observed in L1 attriters and L2 learners with syntax-pragmatics structures; (c) investigate the extent to which this competition results in cross-linguistic influence in L1 attriters and L2 learners; (d) investigate whether L1 attriters and L2 learners show the same direction of crosslinguistic influence. We conducted a series of experimental studies investigating language comprehension in late Italian/English bilinguals, who were either attrited L1 speakers of Italian (with English as L2), or L2 speakers of Italian (with English as L1). The experiments were eye-tracking experiments investigating priming, using both lexical decision and a visual world paradigms, as well as one self-paced reading study. All participants were given an extensive battery of test investigating executive control. The results with respect to our initial aims (a)-(d) can be summarized as follows: (a) We found that L1 attriters and L2 learners behaved broadly similar, across all the experiments we conducted, including for context-dependent structures. (b) We operationalized the notion of competition for resources as switching cost, i.e., as a slow-down or reduction in performance when a speaker has to switch between languages. We found that switching costs for L1 attriters and L2 learners are similar, as per our initial hypothesis. (c) and (d) We failed to find crosslinguistic influences in competition (switching cost did not vary with the direction of switching or L1/L2 status). However, we found that differences in executive control correlate with differences in switching cost. This leads to the new hypothesis that the competition varies across individuals, rather than crosslinguistically. To summarize, our results show remarkable similarities between L1 attriters and L2 learners in language comprehension. This contrasts with the differences (e.g., in switching cost) that have been documented in the literature on language production in these two populations. The influence of executive control is observable on an individual level only. |
| Exploitation Route | The field of bilingualism research is currently experiencing an intense debate about the validity of findings showing differences in cognitive functions between mono- and bilinguals. The evidence so far is conflicting, with some studies showing a significant advantage in particular in executive functions in bilinguals, others showing no difference between the groups. Our results add a new dimension to this debate. By showing that individual differences in executive functions interact with he performance on the visual world paradigm we introduce a new variable, which could, at least in part, account for the divergent findings in the literature. We are planning to continue and expand this line of research in Edinburgh. Specifically, we intend to study how pre-existing differences in executive functions can influence language learning and predict its outcome, both in terms of linguistic abilities and potentially associated cognitive differences. Given the current interest in bilingualism and executive functions we assume that such an approach will become influential and is likely to get adopted by other research groups working in this field. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education |
| Description | The findings of this project contribute to an understanding of (a) the convergence between the native language (L1) and the second language (L2) in adult late bilingualism, (b) the mutual effects of L1 and L2, and (c) individual differences in L2 ultimate attainment. As such, they are relevant for the public engagement activities that the PI and one of the co-PIs regularly conduct through the research and information centre Bilingualism Matters. The aim of Bilingualism Matters is to provide correct information about bilingualism and language learning across the lifespan in different sectors of society. Since adult late bilingualism is one of the key areas of engagement, the results of this project can inform public awareness and language learning educational policy. I have participated in many events, both in the UK and internationally, to inform stakeholders about the naturalness of L1 attrition in bilingualism. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Bilingualism Matters in the Waterloo Region and Canada |
| Amount | $199,678 (CAD) |
| Organisation | Government of Canada |
| Department | SSHRC - Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Canada |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 08/2022 |
| Description | Invited talk by SOILLSE (the National Research Network for the Maintenance and Revitalisation of Gaelic Language and Culture) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk on Gaelic maintenance by SOILLSE, focused on the need to understand language attrition in minority languages is a natural consequence of bilingualism. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Lectio Magistralis at University of Verona |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited lectio magistralis at University of Verona, on the occasion of doctoral graduation ceremony. Students, families and the media were present. Native language attrition was one of the main foci of my lecture. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.tobeverona.it/en/Blog/Blog/European-Researcher's-Night-is-back-in-Verona.html |
| Description | Lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited lecture by the British Academy, London; native language attrition was presented as one of the aspects of bilingualism that is less known, especially with regard to its relationship to possible attainment in a second language. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Refereed conference presentation (poster) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | The poster attracted many useful comments and sparked a lively discussion This was a presentation aimed at an academic audience, so it had an impact on the main project |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Workshop on native language attrition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A workshop on "The selectivity of native language attrition" (SiLA) jointly organised by myself and Roumyana Slabakova (University of Southampton) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.bilingualism-matters.ppls.ed.ac.uk/workshop-selectivity-native-language-attrition/ |
| Description | invited talk to US agency |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk at American Councils for International Education, Washington DC. Native language attrition was presented as a natural consequence of second language learning, which may actually correlate with reaching an advanced proficiency level in the second language. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | keynote at general audience event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Keynote at launch of branch of the Bilingualism Matters Centre at UC Riverside, October 2017. Title: "Enhancing the scientific and public understanding of bilingualism". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/49025 |