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1 - Bilingual memory:

Structure, access, and processing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2012

Jeanette Altarriba
Affiliation:
University at Albany, State University of New York
Ludmila Isurin
Affiliation:
Ohio State University
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Summary

Abstract

Language and memory are closely intertwined in the human cognitive architecture. Language acquisition depends on successful memory encoding and retrieval; at the same time, language itself is instrumental for encoding and storing knowledge. For bilinguals, the need to keep their two languages functionally distinct influences memory. In this chapter, we review the structure of bilingual memory, including long-term, short-term, and phonological working memory and how they are influenced by knowledge of multiple languages. We also investigate memory access and review research on episodic memory access in bilinguals and on semantic memory access during bilingual language comprehension and production. We then examine processing in the context of existing models of bilingual language and memory. Finally, we consider how the prism of novel language learning can provide insight into the interaction between memory and language. We conclude that bilingualism changes the human cognitive architecture and affects the structure, access, and processing of language and memory.

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Chapter
Information
Memory, Language, and Bilingualism
Theoretical and Applied Approaches
, pp. 7 - 47
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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