Lexical access in bilinguals: Effects of language context on the interlingual cohort effect - MCAA grant

双语在美国越来越普遍，模仿世界上几乎所有其他地方的情况。 越来越多的人在家里、学校或工作中使用至少两种语言。 明显的双语未来引发了几个关于双语性质的问题：双语者如何处理他们遇到的不同语言情况？他们是否可以根据情况有选择地使用每种语言，或者两种语言总是在所有情况下自动可用？ 一种语言在多大程度上干扰或促进了另一种语言？在NSF的支持下，Canseco-Gonzalez博士将使用一种创新的技术来回答这些和类似的问题，这种技术使她能够操纵环境如何以及是否会影响双语，从而研究对双语者的影响。 这项研究的广泛影响与政策制定者、教育工作者、社会服务提供者和家长都有关。例如，驾驶考试是否应该总是以驾驶员的第一语言进行？孩子应该同时学习两种语言吗？ 这项研究还鼓励代表性不足的少数群体作为从事研究的本科生和研究参与者参与。

Bilingualism is becoming more prevalent in the U.S.A., mimicking the state of affairs in almost all other parts of the world. More and more people use at least two languages at home, at school, or at work. The apparent bilingual future invites several questions about the nature or bilingualism: How do bilinguals deal with the different language situations they encounter? Can they use each language selectively according to the situation, or are both languages always automatically available in all contexts? To what degree does one language interfere with or facilitate the other?With NSF support Dr. Canseco-Gonzalez will answer these and similar questions using an innovative technique that allows her to manipulate how and whether the environment elicits bilingualism and thereby study the impact on bilinguals. The broader impacts of the research are relevant to policy makers, educators, social services providers, and parents alike. For instance, should driving tests always be administered in a driver's first language? Should children learn two languages simultaneously? This research also encourages participation by underrepresented minorities both as undergraduates engaged in research and as research participants.