BILINGUAL PROCESSING AT THE LEXICAL LEVEL OF REPRESENTATION

Abstract

Current models of bilingual memory suggest that the conceptual level of representation is necessary for bilingual processing to occur, depending on the direction of translation. The present study used a naming task to examine occurrences of translation at wholly the lexical level or representation. English-Chinese bilingual participants were required to read aloud words that were immediately preceded by a masked prime. Results show that the masked priming paradigm was successful. Also, it was shown that bilingual processing had occurred only at the lexical level, thus challenging current conceptualizations or bilingual memory. A further discussion examines the role of lexical access in masked priming, suggesting the role of abstract orthography in facilitating cross-language priming effects.