Does working memory independently influence language development in bilingual children? A 30-year reflection
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7148316 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kerry Danahy Ebert (0000-0002-7607-9742, University of Minnesota, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 269 |
| Pages | 105628 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Brain and Language (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0093-934X • E-ISSN: 1090-2155 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.bandl.2025.105628 |
| PMID | 40737739 |
| OpenAlex | W4412709872 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 53 |
In 1992, Harrington posited that working memory is a key constraint on the development of a second language in adults but noted that stronger evidence is needed to establish its independent influence on language. In this paper, I reflect on advances in the study of working memory in bilinguals over the intervening 30 years, focusing on bilingual children. I consider theoretical and methodological changes that avoid confounding language and working memory. Empirical work on the role of working memory in bilingual language development is reviewed, noting that much recent work on this topic considers how language could shape working memory, rather than vice versa. I also discuss evidence from bilingual children with developmental language disorder, a population whose language weaknesses have been partly attributed to working memory constraints. Unifying evidence across bilingual populations - including adults and children, and typical and atypical language learners -is important to continue the field's advancement
Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Language development · Linguistics · Reflection (computer programming) · Working memory · Language Development and Disorders · Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism · Neuroscience · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development
A controlled-attention view of working-memory capacity.
Working Memory
The separability of working memory resources for spatial thinking and language processing
Working memory and second language comprehension and production
Individual differences in working memory and reading
Exploring the Central Executive
Working memory development in monolingual and bilingual children
A capacity theory of comprehension
Chapter 20 What are the differences between long-term, short-term, and working memory?
Age differences in short-term retention of rapidly changing information.
How does bilingualism modify cognitive function? Attention to the mechanism
Working memory development
Effects of language impairment and bilingualism across domains
Is bilingualism associated with better working memory capacity? A meta-analysis
Syntactic complexity and verbal working memory in bilingual children with and without Developmental Language Disorder
Short-term memory, working memory and linguistic abilities in bilingual children with Developmental Language Disorder
Is bilingualism related to a cognitive advantage in children? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Is bilingualism associated with enhanced executive functioning in adults? A meta-analytic review
Bilingualism and working memory capacity
Contribution of Nonverbal Cognitive Skills on Bilingual Children's Grammatical Performance
Phase 2 of Catalise
Domain-General Cognitive Ability Predicts Bilingual Children's Receptive Vocabulary in the Majority Language
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |