Cognitive Factors of Lexical Availability in a Second Language

Abstract

Previous research has shown that lexical availability is a complex property influenced by factors such as typicality, age of acquisition and concept familiarity (Hernández Muñoz N, Izura C, Ellis AW, Eur J Cogn Psychol 18:734–755, 2006). The influence of these factors might change in second languages (L2) due to variations in age of learning, motivation, learning processes and experience of linguistic material amongst other factors. The aim of this chapter is to examine the extent to which cognitive factors influencing lexical availability in L2 are the same as those affecting lexical availability in L1. The study starts with a compilation of lexical availability values from English native speakers who were learning Spanish as L2. In addition, ratings from relevant variables such as age of acquisition, familiarity, etc. were collected. This data was entered into a regression analysis. Results showed that typicality, age of acquisition of L2 words and cognateness were significant predictors of lexical availability in the L2. The differences found between lexical availability in L1 and L2 are explained in relation to the Revised Hierarchical Model (RHM, Kroll JF, Stewart E, J Mem Lang 33:149–174, 1994).