LuzElena Molina- Medina
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Natasha Vernooij
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Psychology / LSA
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 6 – 4:40pm – 5:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: LuzElena Molina-Medina, Natasha Vernooij
Presenter: 66
Abstract
If we are able to understand how bilinguals use languages, we can improve translation mechanisms and teaching tools in order to accommodate differences in bilingual speakers. This experiment will investigate adjective and noun code-switching in bilinguals, specifically people who speak both English and Spanish. Code-switching is the ability to switch between languages in conversation. We focus on these components because of the difference in the grammar between the languages. In English, adjectives are typically placed before the noun but in Spanish, adjectives usually go after the noun. In the experiment, bilinguals will read sentences one word at a time until a sentence is completed. The participants will have the ability to stop a sentence when it does not make sense to them or continue if the words make a coherent sentence. Participants will see some sentences that follow the same word order in both languages. These sentences can have a code switch or not, which will occur between a determiner and noun, and can make sense or not. Participants will also see sentences that do not follow the same word order in both languages. These sentences can have a code switch or not, which will occur between an adjective and noun, and can follow adjective-noun or noun-adjective word order. All sentences can start in either English or Spanish. We expect to see differences in reading times and exit percentages based on the type of sentences the participants see. In sentences with determiner-noun code switches we expect a code switch cost, a not making sense cost and an interaction between the two. In adjective-noun sentences we also predict a code switch cost and either a main effect of word order (faster reading times for adjective word order) or no main effect. We will also compare determiner-noun code switches and adjective-noun code switches. Through this experiment, we hope to have a better understanding of how bilinguals use Spanish adjectives in contrast to the grammar rules that they are taught in institutions. The findings from this experiment can also be used for future research regarding code-switching and allow for institutional inclusivity and improvement.
Interdisciplinary, Social Sciences
