Event-related brain potentials in multilingual language processing: The N's and P's

Brennan R. Payne, Shukhan Ng, Kailen Shantz, Kara D. Federmeier

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The cognitive, neural, and linguistic mechanisms underlying the comprehension and production of language are complex. This complexity is compounded when we consider the fact that the majority of people in the world learn, master, and switch between multiple languages. One way that we can track the complex dynamics of language use in the brain is through the direct recording of brain electrical activity. In this chapter, we review studies of human event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and their use in elucidating the mechanisms of language processing and multilingualism. First, we introduce ERPs, discussing the neural origins of the signal, methods for ERP recording, and the many benefits of ERP measures for language research. We then discuss major ERP components, stable and reliable features of the ERP signal that reflect different aspects of sensory, perceptual, and higher-order cognitive functioning, with a focus on application to language processing in both monolingual and multilingual language contexts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdult and Second Language Learning
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages75-118
Number of pages44
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

Publication series

NamePsychology of Learning and Motivation - Advances in Research and Theory
Volume72
ISSN (Print)0079-7421

Keywords

  • Comprehension
  • ERN
  • Electrophysiology
  • Event-related potential (ERP)
  • LRP
  • MMN
  • N1
  • N2
  • N400
  • NRef
  • P300
  • P600
  • Semantics
  • Syntax

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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