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Cross-Language Activation Begins During Speech Planning and Extends Into Second Language Speech.

ABSTRACT: Three groups of native English speakers named words aloud in Spanish, their second language (L2). Intermediate proficiency learners in a classroom setting (Experiment 1) and in a domestic immersion program (Experiment 2) were compared to a group of highly proficient English-Spanish speakers. All three groups named cognate words more quickly and accurately than matched noncognates, indicating that all speakers experienced cross-language activation during speech planning. However, only the classroom learners exhibited effects of cross-language activation in their articulation: Cognate words were named with shorter overall durations, but longer (more English-like) voice onset times. Inhibition of the first language during L2 speech planning appears to impact the stages of speech production at which cross-language activation patterns can be observed.

SUBMITTER: Jacobs A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5068572 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Cross-Language Activation Begins During Speech Planning and Extends Into Second Language Speech.

Jacobs April A Fricke Melinda M Kroll Judith F JF

Language learning 20151008 2

Three groups of native English speakers named words aloud in Spanish, their second language (L2). Intermediate proficiency learners in a classroom setting (Experiment 1) and in a domestic immersion program (Experiment 2) were compared to a group of highly proficient English-Spanish speakers. All three groups named cognate words more quickly and accurately than matched noncognates, indicating that all speakers experienced cross-language activation during speech planning. However, only the classro ...[more]

PMID: 27773945

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