Bilingual digit and number word processing in a parity judgment flanker task
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Bilingual digit and number word processing in a parity judgment flanker task Heather Winskel1 · Theeraporn Ratitamkul2 Accepted: 27 September 2020 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Numbers are particularly interesting as they can be presented in different notations, for example, they can be represented as numerical digits or words. Moreover, many cultures around the world have different writing systems for representing number. Thai uses a more traditional Thai number system in conjunction with Arabic numbers. In the current study, we investigated the processing of numerical digits and words in unbalanced Thai-English bilinguals using a numerical parity judgment task. The flankers occurring on either side of the target were either congruent or incongruent with the target digit or word. In Experiment 1, we investigated the effects of Arabic digit and Thai digit flankers on English and Thai target number words and in Experiment 2, the effects of English and Thai number word flankers on Arabic and Thai digit targets. In Experiment 1, we found an interference effect from Thai digit flankers on Thai numerical words and in Experiment 2, an interference effect for Arabic digits from Thai word flankers. These results suggest that the first language is playing a greater contributing role than the second language and that numerical notation format contributes to the effect. Proficiency in the second language is likely to moderate this effect. Keywords Unbalanced bilinguals · Digits · Number words · Numerical flanker task · Numerical writing systems · Parity judgment · Thai Numbers are particularly interesting as they can be presented in different notations, for example, they can be represented as numerical digits or words. Moreover, many cultures around the world have different writing systems for representing number. In addition, to these more traditional numerical systems, Arabic numbers are also
* Heather Winskel [email protected] 1
Psychology, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour Campus, Hogbin Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia
2
Linguistics Department, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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widely used. In the current study, we focus on single or small digits and number words in a digit-number word flanker task in Thai-English bilinguals. Thai, similar to many other Asian languages in the region, uses a more traditional Thai number system in conjunction with Arabic numbers (see Table 1). The two number systems are used for distinct functions. Arabic numbers are typically used for numerical calculations whereas Thai numerals are used more for dates and formal, traditional and historical contexts including official documents. The Thai government is also actively encouraging the use of Thai numerals. Both Thai and Arabic numeral systems are taught in early childhood classrooms. Notably, small number words are among the first acquired vocabulary terms (Brysbaert 2005; Dehaene and Mehler 1992).
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