The Biscriptal Language Background Advantage during Foreign Language Word Acquisition

DOI: 10.5176/2251-1865_CBP36

Authors: Lidia Suarez, Kimberly J. Cheah, Yet Wei Lee and Sabrina M. H. Lim

Abstract: This study explored phonological and visual memory skills of English-Chinese and English-Malay bilinguals, when learning words simulating a new language. Participants learnt nonwords presented auditorally and artificial characters presented visually. English-Chinese bilinguals were able to acquire both nonwords and artificial characters. In contrast, English-Malay bilinguals could acquire only nonwords. The results were interpreted as English-Chinese bilinguals having enhanced visual memory skills due to their biscriptal language background.

Keywords: bilingualism; visual memory; logographic versus alphabetic; third language acquisition

LinkOut:    James Cook University, AU