Cross-language semantic and orthographic parafoveal processing by bilingual L1 German-L2 English readers

Fernandez, L. B., Scheepers, C. and Allen, S. E. M. (2023) Cross-language semantic and orthographic parafoveal processing by bilingual L1 German-L2 English readers. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, (doi: 10.1017/S1366728923000536) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

In a recent study, Fernandez et al. (2021) investigated parafoveal processing in L1 English and L1 German–L2 English readers using the gaze contingent boundary paradigm (Rayner, 1975). Unexpectedly, L2 readers derived an interference from a non-cognate translation parafoveal mask (arrow vs. pfeil), but derived a benefit from a German orthographic parafoveal mask (arrow vs. pfexk) when reading in English. The authors argued that bilingual readers incurred a switching cost from the complete German word, and derived a benefit by keeping both lexicons active from the partial German word. In this registered report, we further test this finding with L1 German–L2 English participants using improved items, but with the sentences presented in German. We were able to replicate the non-cognate translation interference but not the orthographic facilitation. Follow up comparisons showed that all parafoveal masks evoked similar inhibition, suggesting that bilingual readers do not process non-cognate semantic or orthographic information parafoveally.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Parafoveal processing, cross-linguistic influence, eye-tracking, word recognition.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Scheepers, Dr Christoph and Fernandez, Dr Leigh
• Authors: Fernandez, L. B., Scheepers, C., and Allen, S. E. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Bilingualism: Language and Cognition
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 1366-7289
• ISSN (Online): 1469-1841
• Published Online: 31 August 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Bilingualism: Language and Cognition 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher