Differentiating
Between Automatic and Strategic Control Processes: Toward a Model
of Cognitive Mobilization in Bilingual Reading
H. Cheung & A. M. Y. Lin |
Recent
years have witnessed an increased interest in studying the effect
of first language (L1) reading experience on second language (L2)
literacy. Such cross-language influence in reading is understood
as a particular case of the more general phenomenon of cognitive
mobilization, which refers to the application of L1-related mechanisms
to L2 processing (Elks, 1994). In this paper, we propose a model
of cognitive mobilization for the bilingual reader. The model postulates
an L1 and an L2 word recognition system the automaticity of which
depends on language proficiency, and a language-neutral central system
which entails effortful, strategic control processes. Under the assumptions
of limited attentional resources and increasing L2 word recognition
automaticity due to enhanced L2 proficiency, the model makes different
predictions about cognitive mobilization in reading for bilingual
readers at various levels of L2 proficiency. L 1-to-L2 mobilization
and top-down application of general reading strategies to L2 word
decoding are similarly modelled. The paper contributes to the area
by providing a framework for the formulation of working hypotheses
about cognitive mobilization in reading. Key words: mobilization, reading, bilingual, automatic |