The proactive bilingual brain: Using interlocutor identity to generate predictions for language processing

Martin, Clara D.; Molnar, Monika; Carreiras, Manuel

doi:10.1038/srep26171

Cited by 46 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Indeed, this region was not sensitive to the CTI manipulation, suggesting a similar involvement for reactive and proactive control. It is possible that, when conditions allow doing so, language control relies particularly on proactive processes (Martin et al, 2016;Molnar et al, 2015). In language switching this strategy may be crucial to adjust performance according to continuously changing goals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional connectivity reveals dissociable ventrolateral prefrontal mechanisms for the control of multilingual word retrieval

Branzi

Martin

Carreiras

et al. 2018

Preprint

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A fundamental cognitive operation involved in speech production is word retrieval from the mental lexicon, which in monolinguals is supported by dissociable ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) mechanisms associated with proactive and reactive control. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study established whether in multilinguals word retrieval is supported by the same prefrontal mechanisms, and whether proactive modulation consists in suppression of the non-target lexicon. Healthy multilingual volunteers participated in a task that required them to name pictures alternatively in their dominant and lessdominant language. Two crucial variables were manipulated: the cue-target interval (CTI) to either engage (long CTI) or prevent proactive control processes (short CTI), and the cognate status of the pictures to-benamed (non-cognates versus cognates) to capture the presence of selective pre-activation of the target language. Results support the two-process account of vlPFC and indicate that multilinguals engage in proactive control to prepare the target language. This proactive modulation, enacted by anterior vlPFC, is achieved by boosting the activation of lexical representations of the target language. Control processes supported by mid-vlPFC and left inferior parietal lobe together, are similarly engaged in pre-and post-word retrieval, possibly exerted on phonological representations to reduce cross-language interference. Significance StatementWord retrieval in monolingual speech production is enacted by left ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) supporting controlled access to conceptual representations (proactive control), and left mid-vlPFC supporting post-retrieval lexical selection (reactive control). In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study we demonstrate that multilingual word retrieval is supported by similar prefrontal mechanisms. However, differently from monolinguals, multilingual speakers retrieve words by applying proactive control on lexical representations to reduce cross-language interference. Alternatively to what it has been proposed by one of the most influential models, here we show that this proactive modulation is achieved by boosting the activation of lexical representations of the target language.All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.(which was not peer-reviewed) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional connectivity reveals dissociable ventrolateral prefrontal mechanisms for the control of multilingual word retrieval

Branzi

Martin

Carreiras

et al. 2018

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…Results obtained with the cued language-switching paradigm should be particularly relevant in explaining the mechanisms involved in such naturally occurring situations. Research has shown that bilinguals may benefit from using the language associated with an interlocutor or their apparent cultural identity as a cue to use one language and not another (Blanco-Elorrieta & Pylkkänen, 2015;Hartsuiker, 2015;Li, Yang, Scherf, & Li, 2013;Liu, Timmer, Jiao, Yuan, & Wang, 2019;Martin, Molnar, & Carreiras, 2016;Woumans et al, 2015). At the neurophysiological level, interlocutor identity has indeed been found to be represented in a sustained fashion during the planning stages that precede speech onset (Blanco-Elorrieta & Pylkkänen, 2017).…”

Section: Ecological Validity Of Research Findings On Bilingual Languamentioning

confidence: 99%

Bilingual switching between languages and listeners: Insights from immersive virtual reality

Peeters

2020

Cognition

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Perhaps the main advantage of being bilingual is the capacity to communicate with interlocutors that have different language backgrounds. In the life of a bilingual, switching interlocutors hence sometimes involves switching languages. We know that the capacity to switch from one language to another is supported by control mechanisms, such as task-set reconfiguration. This study investigates whether similar neurophysiological mechanisms support bilingual switching between different listeners, within and across languages. A group of 48 unbalanced Dutch-English bilinguals named pictures for two monolingual Dutch and two monolingual English life-size virtual listeners in an immersive virtual reality environment. In terms of reaction times, switching languages came at a cost over and above the significant cost of switching from one listener to another. Analysis of event-related potentials showed similar electrophysiological correlates for switching listeners and switching languages. However, it was found that having to switch listeners and languages at the same time delays the onset of lexical processes more than a switch between listeners within the same language. Findings are interpreted in light of the interplay between proactive (sustained inhibition) and reactive (task-set reconfiguration) control in bilingual speech production. It is argued that a possible bilingual advantage in executive control may not be due to the process of switching per se. This study paves the way for the study of bilingual language switching in ecologically valid, naturalistic, experimental settings. 1.1. Language switching: switch costs and reversed language dominance Bilinguals' ability to switch languages on the basis of an external cue has been investigated extensively in studies using the cued languageswitching paradigm (

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“…Rather, familiarity with a speaker is enough to create an association between a language and a face that results in faster naming than when this association is absent [41]. Related recent research on bilingual language processing with different paradigms and tasks has additionally suggested that using naturalistic cues facilitates predictions about upcoming language [42,43] (for a review on the role of visual cues for language selection see [44]).…”

Section: Switching In Response To Natural Cuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Validity in Bilingualism Research and the Bilingual Advantage

Blanco-Elorrieta

Pylkkänen

2018

Trends in Cognitive Sciences

103

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Traditional research in bilingualism has consistently found that switching languages is effortful, placing demands on neural systems of cognitive control. This finding runs counter to most bilinguals' intuitive experience. We review a body of recent work showing that, in fact, when bilinguals switch languages voluntarily, both the behavioral cost of switching and the associated recruitment of cognitive control areas are greatly reduced or completely eliminated. This suggests that switching languages is not inherently effortful, but rather, particular communicative demands may make it costly. The new evidence also challenges the basic premise underlying the bilingual advantage hypothesis. We articulate a more nuanced version of it, in which the advantage is limited to bilinguals who frequently switch languages based on external constraints. Language-Switching and Traditional Ways to Model It Commanding more than one language is the norm for the majority of the world's population [1,2], and multilingualism has been notably increasing in recent years [3]. A remarkable feature of multilingual individuals is their ability to quickly and accurately switch back and forth between their different languages. Thus, multilingual individuals not only command each of their languages independently, but they are additionally able to alternate and coordinate the rules that govern each language. What are the mechanisms that allow bilingual individuals to effectively do this? How are these systems organized to achieve seamless transitions from one language to the other? Highlights Results of traditional language switching tasks have suggested that language switching is behaviorally effortful and requires increased involvement of cognitive control areas. Recent evidence has challenged this conclusion, showing that when bilinguals are allowed to switch languages freely, this cognitive effort and behavioral cost are either greatly reduced or completely eliminated.

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The proactive bilingual brain: Using interlocutor identity to generate predictions for language processing

Cited by 46 publications

References 35 publications

Functional connectivity reveals dissociable ventrolateral prefrontal mechanisms for the control of multilingual word retrieval

Functional connectivity reveals dissociable ventrolateral prefrontal mechanisms for the control of multilingual word retrieval

Bilingual switching between languages and listeners: Insights from immersive virtual reality

Ecological Validity in Bilingualism Research and the Bilingual Advantage

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