The Role of the Motor System in L1 and L2 Action Verb Processing for Chinese Learners of English: Evidence from Mu Rhythm Desynchronization

Overview

Journal Behav Sci (Basel)

Date 2024 Apr 26

PMID 38667064

Authors

Yuqing Zhang

Shifa Chen

Yule Peng

Xin Yang

Junjie Yang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The nature of semantic representation has long been a key question in linguistic research. The Embodied Cognition theory challenges the traditional view of language representation, stating that semantic information stems from the sensory-motor cortex, which is activated automatically during semantic processing. However, most of the evidence comes from monolingual studies; it remains unclear whether second-language (L2) comprehension involves different semantic representations or mirrors the pattern seen in first-language (L1) processing. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of the sensory-motor system in language processing via making Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings during the processing of L1 and L2 action verbs. The results showed that L1 (Chinese) action verbs generated higher mu-event-related desynchronization (ERD) than L1 abstract verbs in the early processing stage (250 ms after verb presentation), and the same phenomenon was also observed for L2 (English). The results also indicated that language modulated the processing of action verbs, with L1 action verbs eliciting stronger ERD than L2 action verbs. These results demonstrate that the sensory-motor cortex plays a crucial role in comprehending both L1 and L2 action verbs.

Citing Articles

Embodied Semantics: Early Simultaneous Motor Grounding in First and Second Languages.

Britz J, Collaud E, Jost L, Sato S, Bugnon A, Mouthon M Brain Sci. 2024; 14(11).

PMID: 39595819 PMC: 11591616. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14111056.

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