The Ontogenesis Model may provide a useful guiding framework, but lacks explanatory power for the nature and development of L2 lexical representation

Music Perception Abilities and Ambiguous Word Learning: Is There Cross-Domain Transfer in Nonmusicians?

“…In particular, the L2LP model ( Escudero, 2005 ; van Leussen and Escudero, 2015 ; Elvin and Escudero, 2019 ; Elvin et al, 2020 , 2021 ; Yazawa et al, 2020 ) proposes three learning problems when L1 and L2 categories differ in number or in phonetic realization. This model is the only one that handles lexical development and word learning with consideration of hearing more differences than produced in the target language as a learning problem ( van Leussen and Escudero, 2015 ; Escudero and Hayes-Harb, 2021 ). Specifically, listeners can categorize binary L2 contrasts into more than two L1 categories, which is referred to as Multiple Category Assimilation (MCA, L2LP; Escudero and Boersma, 2002 ) and can lead to a subset problem ( Escudero and Boersma, 2002 ; Escudero, 2005 ; Elvin and Escudero, 2014 , 2019 ).…”

Refining key concepts of the Ontogenesis Model of the L2 lexical representation

“…3 Fuzzy lexical representations and the optimum Fuzziness and the optimum are two crucial concepts explored in the OM that have been addressed in the previous literature only to a limited degree. Several commentators (Gyllstad 2021;Gass, 2021;Darcy, 2021;Baxter et al, 2021a;Ecke & Hall, 2021;Li & Zhao, 2021;Escudero & Hayes-Harb, 2021;Lemhöfer, 2021;Mishra, 2021;Nicol, 2021;Wolter, 2021;Calabria, 2021) have rightly noted that these concepts need to be elaborated upon, which was not possible in the limited space provided by the keynote. Aware of this, we opted for writing a companion article devoted uniquely to fuzzy lexical representations (FLR) (Gor, Cook, Bordag, Chrabaszcz & Opitz, in press) as part of the research topic Fuzzy Lexical Representations in the Nonnative Mental Lexicon (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/ 15827/fuzzy-lexical-representations-in-the-nonnative-mentallexicon).…”

“…According to the OM and the FLR hypothesis (Gor et al, in press), the general property of most L2 LRs is their fuzziness, defined as imprecise, ambiguous or low-resolution encoding at one or more of the OM's dimensions. Fuzziness, as a proxy for poor encoding, will have different manifestations depending on its locus, as well as different effects on the LR and its functioning in different networks; accordingly, multiple scenarios need to be entertained (see Baxter et al, 2021a;Ecke & Hall, 2021;Escudero & Hayes-Harb, 2021;Lemhöfer, 2021).…”

“…We attempted to synthesise current research by drawing on a wide range of studies and bringing various research lines together. Such an approach makes it possible to outline a comprehensive model that connects seemingly disparate strands of research on L2 representations and their development (Escudero & Hayes-Harb, 2021) and to accommodate studies that are rarely considered together and have so far led a rather isolated life in the literature (Lemhöfer, 2021).…”

Words in the non-native mind: Developing lexical representations in the L2

“…Seventeen commentaries from well-known experts in mental lexicon and bilingualism research accompany the Keynote article. Several commentators (Darcy, 2022; Ellis, 2022; Escudero & Hayes-Harb, 2022; Gyllstad, 2022; Kroll, Vargas Fuentes & Torres, 2022; Lemhöfer, 2022) praise the Keynote article for bringing together different strands of research on the L2 lexicon that have rarely been considered together before – namely, (i) psycholinguistic studies on L2 word processing and (ii) acquisition studies of L2 word learning. In addition, Baxter, Leoné and Dijkstra (2022) highlight the potential usefulness of the model proposed by Bordag et al as a valuable theoretical underpinning for vocabulary teaching and educational research more generally – a topic the Keynote article briefly mentions.…”