Cross-linguistic gender congruency effects during lexical access in novice L2 learners: evidence from ERPs

Herein we present electrophysiological evidence of extremely rapid learning new labels in a second language (L2) for existing concepts, via computerized games. However, the effect was largely constrained by crosslinguistic grammatical gender congruency. We recorded ERPs both prior to exposure with L2 and following 4-day training session. Prior exposure, no modulation N400 component found as function correct Match vs. Mismatch audio presentation words their associated images. Post-training, large emerged compared trials, but only trials on which shared learners' L1. Behavioral results showed that all were learned equally well, independent congruency across L1 L2. The demonstrate influences lexical activation during initial stages establishing lexicon.