More than simple facts: cross-linguistic differences in place-value processing in arithmetic fact retrieval

Abstract

Linguistic specificities such as the inversion property of number words (e.g., in German 43 is spoken dreiundvierzig, literally three and forty) moderate Arabic number processing. So far, cross-linguistic studies have mostly focused on inversion-related effects on simple (e.g., number comparison) and calculation-based (e.g., multi-digit addition) magnitude processing of numerical information. Despite the assumption that multiplication facts are represented in verbal format, not much attention has been paid to inversion-related influences on multiplication fact retrieval. Accordingly, the current study evaluated inversion-related effects on the processing of place-value information in multiplication. In a verification paradigm, the decade consistency effect (i.e., more errors when the decade of a solution probe shares the decade digit with the correct solution) was larger for English- than German-speaking participants for table-related probes. Processing of decade digits might be prioritised in English-speaking participants because the decade digit is named first in English number words, whereas in German number words the unit digit is named first. Our results indicate that (1) the influence of specificities of a verbal number word formation on place-value processing generalise to arithmetic fact retrieval and (2) inversion of number words might even be advantageous in specific cases.

Early bilingual immersion school program and cognitive development in French-speaking children: Effect of the second language learned (English vs. Dutch) and exposition duration (2 vs. 5 years)

“…Moreover, another explanation that could be invoked could be related to the difference in the way of expressing the numbers in French and in Dutch, in which the order is different, e.g., in Dutch, 45 is spoken vijfenveertig, literally five and forty. Indeed, Bahnmueller, Göbel, Pixner, Dresen, & Moeller [ 49 ] have reported that Arabic number processing could be moderated by linguistic specificities, such as the inversion property of number words. Despite the fact that some studies evaluating the influence of linguistic properties on processing place-value information have shown that number word inversion leads to additional processing costs in different numerical tasks [e.g., multi-digit addition: 27 ], some authors have suggested that inversion could actually be advantageous for the retrieval of the correct solution of some calculations [for further information, see 49 ].…”

“…Indeed, Bahnmueller, Göbel, Pixner, Dresen, & Moeller [ 49 ] have reported that Arabic number processing could be moderated by linguistic specificities, such as the inversion property of number words. Despite the fact that some studies evaluating the influence of linguistic properties on processing place-value information have shown that number word inversion leads to additional processing costs in different numerical tasks [e.g., multi-digit addition: 27 ], some authors have suggested that inversion could actually be advantageous for the retrieval of the correct solution of some calculations [for further information, see 49 ]. In the context of Dutch CLIL, the learning and the manipulation of two different number structures, like immersed children have to do as soon as in the third kindergarten, can have an early impact on the understanding of the place-value and, in turn, in the calculation.…”

Language does arithmetic: linguistic differences in children’s place-value processing

“…The studies on operant effects conducted in the context of multiplication fact retrieval (Bahnmueller et al, 2020 ; Domahs et al, 2006 , 2007 ) show the data for adults. However, little is known about whether the same problems can be found and replicated in children, who have not yet been able to build semantic networks for multiplication as strongly as adults.…”

“…Bahnmueller et al ( 2020 ) first used the link between language, specifically inversion-related effects, and place-value processing. They evaluated the decade-consistency effect and table-relatedness for multiplications in adults with different linguistic backgrounds.…”

“…Chochon, Cohen, Van de Moortele & Dehaene, 1999 ; Lee & Kang, 2002 ; but see Amalric & Dehaene, 2016 , 2019 for the dissociation of language and mathematical processing), have not received a lot of attention in this category. Previously, Bahnmueller et al ( 2020 ) have focused on the link between linguistic differences in processing place-value information during multiplication tasks in adults.…”