Lexical processing and second language acquisition by Natasha Tokowicz (review)

The last two decades have seen a dramatic surge in research on bilingualism and multilingualism, with exciting new frontiers in the study of language being explored particularly in the cognitive and neural sciences. Current research is dedicated to studying the bilingual experience and shows a language system that is highly dynamic, where each language interacts with and influences the other. Within this context, Lexical processing and second language acquisition contributes persuasive evidence from psycholinguistics and second language (L2) acquisition research for how bilinguals of varying language backgrounds and proficiencies navigate the use of two languages. Tokowicz’s expertly written volume builds on the canon of books dedicated to bilingualism by specifically addressing the word level, identifying unifying themes across subdisciplines, and showcasing the latest developments in a rapidly growing field.

The value of focusing on the representation and processing of words lies in part, as T reminds us, in the finding that ‘word knowledge is foundational to learning the rest of language’ (2). Indeed, lexical skills are tightly linked to successful language comprehension and production in both first language (L1; e.g. Nation 2014) and L2 acquisition (e.g. Prior et al. 2014). By skillfully demonstrating the interplay of variables that influence lexical access, T provides us with a framework for thinking about the dynamics of language at grammatical, syntactic, and pragmatic levels. To build her case, T emphasizes laboratory approaches to investigating the lexicon. This emphasis is well suited to inform our understanding of L2 learning because quantitative studies provide experimental control as well as sensitivity to the timing of events in linguistic processing.

In the first chapter, T situates the book both theoretically and methodologically, providing a roadmap to the reader on the fundamental questions the book addresses. T then moves thematically from the models that explain how words are processed and represented in the mind (Chs. 2, 3, and 4) to discussions of learner characteristics and word characteristics that may influence processing (Chs. 5 and 6, respectively). Ch. 7 provides an overview of the growing area of neuroscience. Of particular interest throughout the volume is the discussion of new research directions. Within each chapter, T highlights relevant future work that will help examine the mechanisms underlying word activation, and she devotes the final chapter (Ch. 8) to a more comprehensive review of research areas that are needed to address outstanding questions in the field.

One of the central questions T tackles is how bilinguals and L2 learners manage the use of more than one language. Numerous studies, including findings from our own lab (e.g. Marian & Spivey 2003a,b, Shook & Marian 2012), have now shown that bilinguals coactivate both languages even in situations where only one of their languages is relevant. In Ch. 2, T focuses on two general models of bilingual language processing and control as a way to illustrate the relevance of both extrinsic and intrinsic factors in influencing the degree to which a bilingual shows language coactivation. Grosjean’s language mode hypothesis (2001) emphasizes the influence of discourse factors on the relative activation of each language. Green’s inhibitory control model (1998) addresses the possibility that in order to ultimately select one of the coactivated languages for further processing, the bilingual regulates activation of the unintended language via an internal control system. The strength of T’s literature review is that she systematically builds up to concrete research questions that are needed to further test predictions about the processing of each language in the system. T also considers multiple angles, from single case studies of individuals with brain pathology to well-controlled larger-scale studies, in order to provide converging support for ideas such as language control. Each perspective adds valuable pieces to the puzzle. Together with brief introductions to other general frameworks of the bilingual language system, T paints a vibrant picture of dynamic interaction between external and internal factors that influence the activation of words in both languages.

In Ch. 3...