Lexical Access in Speech Production: The Bilingual Case

Abstract

In this paper we review models of lexical access in speech production in bilingual speakers. We focus on two major aspects of lexical access: a) how lexical selection is achieved, and b) whether lexical access involves cascaded or discrete stages of processing. We start by considering the major assumptions of how lexical access works in monolingual speakers, and then proceed to discuss those assumptions in the context of bilingual speakers. The main theoretical models and the most recent experimental evidence in their favor are described.