Cognitive Processes in Second Language Reading (Orthography, Cognition, Bilingualism)

The study investigated the effects of first language (L1) orthographic structures on cognitive processing in second language (L2) reading. More specifically, two aspects of L1 orthographic effects were examined: (a) the effects of the basic unit of representation on acoustic coding strategies, and (b) the effects of representational properties on lexical processing styles. Four cross-linguistic experiments were conducted with native speakers of four languages--Arabic, English, Japanese, and Spanish (N = 83). Experimental tasks involved (a) short-term memory recall, (b) reading with Sanskrit symbols, (c) lexical decision-making, and (d) reading with heterographic homophones. The results consistently demonstrate that the four groups utilize different information processing procedures in reading English. Moreover, the contrasting response patterns among the three non-native English speaking groups are consistent with the expected behavioral consequences of their L1 orthographic structures. Thus, the findings suggest that L1 orthographic systems exert a significant influence on cognitive processing in L2 reading.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Koda, Keiko

• Education, Reading

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8701535

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/69091