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Inhibitory control and the speech patterns of second language users

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posted on 2023-06-08, 23:44 authored by Malgorzata Korko, Simon WilliamsSimon Williams
Inhibitory control (IC), an ability to suppress irrelevant and/or conflicting information, has been found to underlie performance on a variety of cognitive tasks, including bilingual language processing. This study examines the relationship between inhibitory control and the speech patterns of second language (L2) users from the perspective of individual differences. While the majority of studies have supported the role of IC in bilingual language processing using single word production paradigms, this work looks at inhibitory processes in the context of extended speech, with a particular emphasis on disfluencies. We hypothesised that the speech of individuals with poorer IC would be characterised by reduced fluency. A series of regression analyses, in which we controlled for age and L2 proficiency, revealed that IC (in terms of accuracy on the Stroop task) could reliably predict the occurrence of reformulations and the frequency and duration of silent pauses in L2 speech. No statistically significant relationship was found between IC and other L2 spoken output measures, such as repetitions, filled pauses, and performance errors. Conclusions focus on IC as one out of a number of cognitive functions in the service of spoken language production. A more qualitative approach towards the question of whether L2 speakers rely on IC is advocated.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

British Journal of Psychology

ISSN

2044-8295

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

1

Volume

108

Page range

43-72

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Centre for Language Studies Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-02-03

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-02-09

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-02-03

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