School of Foreign Languages, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200400, China.
J Psycholinguist Res. 2024 Mar 6;53(2):22. doi: 10.1007/s10936-024-10067-8.
In order to better understand the role of syntactic similarity in a code-switched sentence, the current study explored the effect of similar and different syntactic structures on Chinese-English bilinguals' intra-sentential switching costs. L2 proficiency and switching directions as factors that potentially intervene in bilingual performance were together explored to see if there was any interaction. We manipulated the degree of syntactic similarity by utilizing clauses in active voice (greater similarity) and passive voice (lesser similarity). The study conducted a self-paced reading paradigm as a more natural language reading processing. Results showed overall longer reading times for active sentences than passive counterparts, which supported a syntactic similarity impediment rather than facilitation. The impediment seemed to be predominant irrespective of L2 proficiency. Furthermore, syntactic similarity modulated the asymmetry of switching costs between forward (L1-L2) and backward (L2-L1) direction: word RTs for the 1st and the 2nd switched word yielded greater costs in L2-L1 condition, while greater costs in L1-L2 condition was observed in 3rd switched word RTs and average RTs. The present study observed syntactic similarity impediment rather than facilitation for Chinese-English bilinguals. Notably, syntactic similarity plays a predominant role compared to L2 proficiency, and modulates the asymmetry between switching directions.
为了更好地理解句法相似性在转码句子中的作用，本研究探讨了相似和不同句法结构对中英双语者句内转码成本的影响。同时探讨了第二语言熟练程度和转码方向这两个可能影响双语表现的因素，以观察是否存在交互作用。我们通过使用主动语态（相似度更高）和被动语态（相似度更低）的子句来操纵句法相似性的程度。该研究采用了自定步速阅读范式作为更自然的语言阅读处理方式。结果表明，主动句的阅读时间总体上长于被动句，这支持了句法相似性的阻碍而非促进作用。这种阻碍似乎与第二语言熟练程度无关。此外，句法相似性调节了前向（L1-L2）和后向（L2-L1）转码方向之间转换成本的不对称性：在 L2-L1 条件下，第一个和第二个转码单词的词反应时产生了更大的成本，而在 L1-L2 条件下，第三个转码单词的反应时和平均反应时则产生了更大的成本。本研究观察到，对于中英双语者来说，句法相似性起到了阻碍而非促进作用。值得注意的是，与第二语言熟练程度相比，句法相似性起着更为重要的作用，并调节了转码方向之间的不对称性。
