The role of L1 reading direction on L2 perceptual span

An eye-tracking study investigating Hindi and Urdu speakers

Bibliographic Data

ID11655641
AuthorsLeigh B Fernandez (0000-0002-1635-2671, University of Kaiserslautern, corresponding author), Ricarda Bothe (0000-0002-7458-3865, University of Göttingen), Shanley E M Allen (0000-0002-5421-6750, University of Kaiserslautern)
Year2021
Volume39
Issue2
Pages447-469
Publication date2021-10-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSecond language Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0267-6583 • E-ISSN: 1477-0326
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/02676583211049742
OpenAlexW3207550739
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited41

In the current study we used the gaze-contingent moving window paradigm to directly compare the second language (L2) English perceptual span of two groups that speak languages with essentially the same lexicon and grammar but crucially with different writing directions (and scripts): Hindi (read left to right) and Urdu (read right to left). This is the first study to directly compare first language (L1) speakers of languages that differ primarily in reading direction in a common L2, English. While Urdu speakers had a slightly faster reading rate, we found no additional differences between Hindi and Urdu speakers when reading L2 English; both groups showed a perceptual span between 9 and 11 characters to the right of the fixation based on saccade length. This suggests little to no influence of L1 reading direction on L2 perceptual span, but rather that L2 perceptual span is influenced by allocation of attention during reading. Our data are in line with research by Leung et al. (2014) finding that L2 speakers have a smaller perceptual span than native speakers (L1 perceptual span is approximately 15 characters to the right of the fixation). This most likely stems from the increased demands associated with reading in a second language, which led to a reduction in the amount of attention that can be allocated outside of the current fixation

Cognitive psychology · Eye movement · First language · Fixation (population genetics · Gaze · Grammar · Hindi · Linguistics · Perception · Population · Reading (process · Urdu · Multisensory perception and integration · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development · Visual perception and processing mechanisms