Language and Culture modulate online Semantic Processing

C.A. Ellis, J.R. Kuipers, G. Thierry, V. Lovett, O.H. Turnbull, M.W. Jones

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    Abstract

    Language has been shown to influence non-linguistic cognitive operations such as colour perception, object categorization and motion event perception. Here, we show that language also modulates higher level processing, such as semantic knowledge. Using event-related brain potentials, we show that highly fluent Welsh–English bilinguals require significantly less processing effort when reading sentences in Welsh which contain factually correct information about Wales, than when reading sentences containing the same information presented in English. Crucially, culturally irrelevant information was processed similarly in both Welsh and English. Our findings show that even in highly proficient bilinguals, language interacts with factors associated with personal identity, such as culture, to modulate online semantic processing.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1392-1396
    JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
    Volume10
    Issue number10
    Early online date12 Mar 2015
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2015

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