Executive functions are modulated by the context of dual language use: diglossic, bilingual and monolingual older adults
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https://hdl.handle.net/10037/31382Date
2023-02-27Type
Journal articleTidsskriftartikkel
Peer reviewed
Abstract
Studies investigating the role of dual language use in modulating executive functions have
reported mixed results, with some studies reporting benefits in older adults. These studies typically focus on bilingual settings, while the role of dual language use in diglossic settings is
rarely investigated. In diglossia, the two language varieties are separated by context, making
it an ideal test case for the effects on cognition of Single Language Contexts, as defined by
the Adaptive Control Hypothesis (Green & Abutalebi, 2013). We compare the performances
of three groups of older adults, Arab diglossics (n = 28), bilinguals (n = 29), and monolinguals
(n = 41), on the Flanker and Stroop tasks, measuring inhibition abilities, and the Color-shape
task, measuring switching abilities. We report a diglossic benefit in inhibition as measured by
the Flanker task only, and no benefits for the bilingual group. These findings are discussed
with reference to conversational contexts in dual language use.
Publisher
Cambridge University PressCitation
Alrwaita, Houston-Price, Meteyard L, Voits T, Pliatsikas C. Executive functions are modulated by the context of dual language use: diglossic, bilingual and monolingual older adults. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition. 2023;26(1):1-26Metadata
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