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Chapter 6. Semantic processing and development in Chinese as a second language

  • Nan Jiang
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Writing Systems, Reading Processes, and Cross-Linguistic Influences
This chapter is in the book Writing Systems, Reading Processes, and Cross-Linguistic Influences

Abstract

Languages differ in the semantic structures underlying their linguistic forms. Thus, the learning of a new language entails the development of a semantic system that is specific to the target language. This chapter reviews recent studies that examined three topics related to semantic processing and development among learners of Chinese as a second language (CSL). They are the factors that may affect the initial understanding of the meanings of unknown words, the acquisition of multiple meanings of polysemous words, and learning of new meanings and new semantic distinctions. The chapter concludes with some discussion of pedagogical implications of this line of research.

Abstract

Languages differ in the semantic structures underlying their linguistic forms. Thus, the learning of a new language entails the development of a semantic system that is specific to the target language. This chapter reviews recent studies that examined three topics related to semantic processing and development among learners of Chinese as a second language (CSL). They are the factors that may affect the initial understanding of the meanings of unknown words, the acquisition of multiple meanings of polysemous words, and learning of new meanings and new semantic distinctions. The chapter concludes with some discussion of pedagogical implications of this line of research.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Foreword ix
  4. Chapter 1. Written languages, East-Asian scripts, and cross-linguistic influences 1
  5. Part 1. Chinese
  6. Chapter 2. Introduction to script processing in Chinese and cognitive consequences for bilingual reading 25
  7. Chapter 3. Visual factors in writing system variation 49
  8. Chapter 4. How do phonological awareness, morphological awareness, and vocabulary knowledge relate to word reading within and between English and Chinese? 73
  9. Chapter 5. The complexities of written Chinese and the cognitive-linguistic precursors to reading, with consequent implications for reading interventions 99
  10. Chapter 6. Semantic processing and development in Chinese as a second language 121
  11. Chapter 7. Brain mechanisms of Chinese word reading 137
  12. Chapter 8. Semantic and lexical processing of words across two languages in Chinese-English bilinguals 163
  13. Part 2. Japanese
  14. Chapter 9. Introduction to the multi-script Japanese writing system and word processing 179
  15. Chapter 10. L1-referenced phonological processing in Japanese-English bilinguals 201
  16. Chapter 11. Constituent-priming investigations of the morphological activation of Japanese compound words 221
  17. Chapter 12. The intertwining effects of first language and learning context on the bilingual mental lexicon 245
  18. Chapter 13. Orthographic and phonological processing in L2-English word recognition 267
  19. Chapter 14. Cross-linguistic interactions in L2 word meaning inference in English as a foreign language 293
  20. Chapter 15. Sociocultural implications of the Japanese multi-scripts 313
  21. Part 3. Korean
  22. Chapter 16. The Korean writing system, Hangul , and word processing 335
  23. Chapter 17. Crosslinguistic influences of script format 353
  24. Chapter 18. Subunit priming effects on lexical decision in Korean 373
  25. Chapter 19. Cognitive-linguistic skills and reading and writing in Korean Hangul , Chinese Hanja , and English among Korean children 391
  26. Chapter 20. Neural mechanisms of reading in Korean L1 and related L2 reading 411
  27. Chapter 21. Constituent processing or gestalt processing? 427
  28. Chapter 22. Looking ahead 447
  29. Index 459
https://doi.org/10.1075/bpa.7.06jia

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Foreword ix
  4. Chapter 1. Written languages, East-Asian scripts, and cross-linguistic influences 1
  5. Part 1. Chinese
  6. Chapter 2. Introduction to script processing in Chinese and cognitive consequences for bilingual reading 25
  7. Chapter 3. Visual factors in writing system variation 49
  8. Chapter 4. How do phonological awareness, morphological awareness, and vocabulary knowledge relate to word reading within and between English and Chinese? 73
  9. Chapter 5. The complexities of written Chinese and the cognitive-linguistic precursors to reading, with consequent implications for reading interventions 99
  10. Chapter 6. Semantic processing and development in Chinese as a second language 121
  11. Chapter 7. Brain mechanisms of Chinese word reading 137
  12. Chapter 8. Semantic and lexical processing of words across two languages in Chinese-English bilinguals 163
  13. Part 2. Japanese
  14. Chapter 9. Introduction to the multi-script Japanese writing system and word processing 179
  15. Chapter 10. L1-referenced phonological processing in Japanese-English bilinguals 201
  16. Chapter 11. Constituent-priming investigations of the morphological activation of Japanese compound words 221
  17. Chapter 12. The intertwining effects of first language and learning context on the bilingual mental lexicon 245
  18. Chapter 13. Orthographic and phonological processing in L2-English word recognition 267
  19. Chapter 14. Cross-linguistic interactions in L2 word meaning inference in English as a foreign language 293
  20. Chapter 15. Sociocultural implications of the Japanese multi-scripts 313
  21. Part 3. Korean
  22. Chapter 16. The Korean writing system, Hangul , and word processing 335
  23. Chapter 17. Crosslinguistic influences of script format 353
  24. Chapter 18. Subunit priming effects on lexical decision in Korean 373
  25. Chapter 19. Cognitive-linguistic skills and reading and writing in Korean Hangul , Chinese Hanja , and English among Korean children 391
  26. Chapter 20. Neural mechanisms of reading in Korean L1 and related L2 reading 411
  27. Chapter 21. Constituent processing or gestalt processing? 427
  28. Chapter 22. Looking ahead 447
  29. Index 459
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