Within- and between-language competition in adult second language learners: implications for language proficiency

Second language (L2) learners must not only acquire L2 knowledge (i.e. vocabulary and grammar), but they also rapidly access this knowledge. In monolinguals, efficient spoken word recognition is accomplished via lexical competition, by which listeners activate a range of candidates that compete for as the signal unfolds. We examined in adult learners, investigating competition both amongst words L2, between native (L1) words. Adult (N = 33) their third semester college Spanish completed cross-linguistic Visual World Paradigm task to assess activation, along with proficiency assessment (LexTALE-Esp). showed typical incremental processing activating within-L2 competitors, similar fluent bilinguals. Proficiency correlated speed target (which prior work links developmental progression L1) degree ultimately resolves (linked robustness lexicon).