Previous studies have suggested that nonnative (L2) linguistic sounds are accommodated to native language (L1) phonemic categories. However, this conclusion may be compromised by the use of explicit discrimination tests. The present study provides an implicit measure of L2 phoneme discrimination in early bilinguals (Catalan and Spanish). Participants classified the 1st syllable of disyllabic stimuli embedded in lists where the 2nd, task-irrelevant, syllable could contain a Catalan contrastive variation (/epsilon/-/e/) or no variation. Catalan dominants responded more slowly in lists where the 2nd syllable could vary from trial to trial, suggesting an indirect effect of the /epsilon/-/e/ discrimination. Spanish dominants did not suffer this interference, performing indistinguishably from Spanish monolinguals. The present findings provide implicit evidence that even proficient bilinguals categorize L2 sounds according to their L1 representations.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0096-1523.31.5.912 | DOI Listing |
Brain Sci
January 2025
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Background/objectives: A neurobiological framework of bi- or multilingual neurocognitive development must consider the following: (i) longitudinal behavioral and neural measures; (ii) brain developmental constraints across structure and function; and (iii) the development of global multilingual competence in a homogeneous social environment. In this study, we investigated whether multilingual competence yields early changes in executive attention control mechanisms and their underlying neural structures in the frontal-striatal system, such as the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex/pre-supplemental area and the left caudate.
Methods: We employed longitudinal neuroimaging and functional connectivity methods in a small group of multilingual children over two years.
Front Psychol
January 2025
Department of Linguistics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Speech Lang Hear Res
January 2025
Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China.
Purpose: This study aims to examine the associations of phonological, lexical, and grammatical skills within and between languages in Mandarin-English bilingual preschoolers.
Method: Sixty-three Singaporean Mandarin-English bilingual children aged 3-5 years were assessed for articulation, receptive vocabulary, and receptive grammar using standardized instruments in English and compatible tools in Mandarin. Regression analyses were performed on each language outcome, with other language variables as predictors, controlling for age, nonverbal working memory, and home language environment.
Adv Neonatal Care
January 2025
Author Affiliations: University of Texas at El Paso, College of Nursing, El Paso, Texas, and Pediatrix Medical Group, Sunrise, Florida (Dr Hull); and Las Palmas Medical Center, El Paso Texas (Mrs Gongora).
Background: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has numerous maternal and neonatal benefits. KMC is often overlooked as a vital neonatal stabilization tool. Factors that influence the initiation of KMC by bedside staff include a lack of specific education on KMC, low confidence, and hesitancy due to the infant's clinical illness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAfr J Disabil
December 2024
Department of Audiology, Faculty of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, South Africa.
Background: Parents of Deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children are faced with a plethora of overwhelming decisions concerning their children, particularly during the early stages of development. Among these decisions are those concerning assistive devices and the modes of communication for their child.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of parents of DHH children towards the various modes of communication for their children within the South African context.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!