The Multifaceted Nature of Bilingualism and Attention

Abstract

Attention has recently been proposed as the mechanism underlying the cognitive effects associated with bilingualism. However, similar to bilingualism, the term attention is complex, dynamic, and can vary from one activity to another. Throughout our daily lives, we use different types of attention that differ in complexity: sustained attention, selective attention, alternating attention, divided attention, and disengagement of attention. The present paper is a focused review summarizing the results from studies that explore the link between bilingualism and attention. For each level of attention, a brief overview of relevant theoretical models will be discussed along with a spotlight on paradigms and tasks used to measure these forms of attention. The findings illustrate that different types and levels of attention are modified by the variety of bilingual experiences. Future studies wishing to examine the effects of bilingualism on attention are encouraged to embrace the complexity and diversity of both constructs rather than making global claims about bilingualism and attention.

Effects of healthy ageing and bilingualism on attention networks

“…Attention (and other executive functions) may be impacted also by bilingualism (see Chung-Fat-Yim et al, 2022 for an overview of bilingualism on attention and Korenar et al, 2023 on cognition more broadly). Bilinguals (compared to monolinguals) often show enhanced performance in cognitive control tasks (Bialystok et al, 2004;Costa et al, 2008;see Donnelly et al, 2019;Lehtonen et al, 2018 for reviews).…”

Bilingualism alters the neural correlates of sustained attention.

“…However, attention is a limited resource, one that could be deployed more efficiently by capitalizing on life experiences that are known to impact attention and executive function. One such experience that has been shown to influence attentional processes is bilingualism (Bialystok & Craik, 2022; Chung-Fat-Yim et al, 2022). An array of attentional processes is recruited during bilingual language processing.…”

“…An array of attentional processes is recruited during bilingual language processing. For example, bilinguals need to focus on the target language (sustained attention), select the target language from the nontarget language(s) (selective attention), and switch from one language to the other language (alternating attention; see Chung-Fat-Yim et al, 2022; Dong & Li, 2020 for reviews). Bilinguals are constantly navigating competition between languages and need to direct their attention to the representations in the intended language.…”