In a previous study of native-English speaking university learners of a second language (Spanish) we observed an asymmetric pattern of ERP translation priming effects in L1 and L2 (Alvarez et al., 2003, Brain & Language, 87, 290-304) with larger and earlier priming on the N400 component in the L2 to L1, compared with the L1 to L2 direction. In the current study 20 native-Russian speakers who we...

People have a tendency to repeat the types of sentences they use during language production. Recent experimental work has shown that this phenomenon is at least partly due to 'syntactic priming', whereby the act of processing an utterance with a particular form facilitates processing a subsequent utterance with the same or a related form. In this review, we first provide an overview of the evid...

We study how Extraversion and Neuroticism influence people’s language production in interpersonal interactive situations. A priming study used confederate priming methodology to investigate syntactic priming behaviour. We expected that Extravert sociability would be related to the strength of priming effects, although Neurotic emotionality might also have an effect. Results indicate that Extrav...

One essential issue for models of bilingual memory organization is to what degree the representation from one of the languages is shared with the other language. In this study, we examine whether there is a symmetrical translation priming effect with highly proficient, simultaneous bilinguals. We conducted a masked priming lexical decision experiment with cognate and noncognate translation equi...

Minimalist theories of spoken language planning hold that articulation starts when the first speech segment has been planned, whereas non-minimalist theories assume larger units (e.g., Levelt, Roelofs, & Meyer, 1999a). Three experiments are reported, which were designed to distinguish between these views using a new hybrid task that factorially manipulated preparation and auditory priming of sp...

Hebrew-English cognates (translations similar in meaning and form) and noncognates (translations similar in meaning only) were examined in masked translation priming. Enhanced priming for cognates was found with L1 (dominant language) primes, but unlike previous results, it was not found with L2 (nondominant language) primes. Priming was also obtained for noncognates, whereas previous studies s...

This paper presents the results of an experiment on syntax priming in an e-mail tandem language learning environment. Twenty-two subjects participated in the completion of 6 tasks in pairs. Subject-pairs working together on tasks consisted of a native speaker of Spanish learning English and a native speaker of English learning Spanish. Bilingual asynchronous written communication between pair m...

Abstract Code-switching is generally dispreferred at points of non-shared word order across a bilingual's two languages. In priming studies, this dispreference persists even following exposure to code-switched non-shared-word-order utterance. The present study delves deeper into the scope code-switching by investigating whether lexical repetition target and prime, factor known boost structural ...

Syntactic priming effects, modelled as increase in repetition probability shortly after a use of a syntactic rule, have the potential to improve language processing components. We model priming of syntactic rules in annotated corpora of spoken dialogue, extending previous work that was confined to selected constructions. We find that speakers are more receptive to priming from their interlocuto...

In recent years, the number of applications of synthesized speech software in the English-language classroom has increased. However, it still remains unclear whether synthesized speech has the same learning effects as real voice in second-language word recognition. This study investigated auditory word priming in Japanese learners of English and the vocal repetition data was used to measure the...