Influence of age of second language acquisition in bilinguals' performance of verbal automatisms

Previous studies of bilingual performance have argued that second language proficiency is heterogeneous and multidetermined by developmental, cultural and motivational variables. However, recent research in second language acquisition suggest that developmental sensitive periods determine language proficiency in bilinguals and the potential for achieving native-like second language skills. Previous research with bilingual individuals focused on universal properties and phonological aspects of language. In such studies, early second language acquisition had favored native-like proficiency skills in the second language. However, there is no research in bilingual's proficiency in verbal automatisms despite their overlearned nature, and influencing effects in complex cognitive processes. In the current study influence of age of second language acquisition in verbal automatic performance was studied in bilinguals, who learned English as a second language early and late in life. Results were examined in relation to the effects of acquiring a second language before and after a developmental sensitive period (7 years of age). Likewise, comparisons between first and second language performance in early and late learner bilinguals were explored. Early learner bilinguals demonstrated higher proficiency in verbal automatic performance than late learner bilinguals. Early learners demonstrated native-like performance in verbal automaticity, whereas late learners performance in verbal automatisms remained more proficient in their first language.