The Level Effect Of Conceptual Representation And Association Of Chinese-english Bilinguals

Long time cross-language repetition priming paradigm was used to investigate the conceptual representation of highly and less proficient Chinese-English bilinguals. The conceptual representation conclude superordinate level(living-nonliving) and basic level(living: animal- human organ;nonliving: daily use- Clothes). This study attempts to discuss the differences of the conceptual representation of superordinate level and basic level, namely if there is a level effect. And try to discuss whether this level effect influence association models between languages.In preliminary study and Experiment 1, we selected less proficient Chinese-English bilingual as subjects, let them try to complete the conceptual decision task on superordinate level and basic level. Try to investigate the level effect on conceptual representation. On the superordinate level, neither same-language nor cross-language condition, studied reaction time was significantly faster than non-studied reaction time, cross-language repetition priming was exist; On the basic level, only in same-language condition, studied reaction time was significantly faster than non-studied reaction time, there is no difference on time reaction between studied and non-studied conditions. This suggested that less proficient bilingual shared conceptual representations on the superordinate level and conceptual representations were separate on the basic level.In experiment 2, highly proficient Chinese-English bilinguals were selected to complete the conceptual decision task on basic level. Our purpose is to investigate highly proficient bilingual how concept represetated on the basic level, whether the proficiency of second language would influence the level effect. The results showed that on the basic level, only in same-language condition, studied reaction time was significantly faster than non-studied reaction time; in cross-language condition, studied reaction time was slower than non-studied reaction time. The results shows highly proficient Chinese-English bilinguals shared conceptual representations partly on the basic level, conceptual representation on superordinate and basic level are basically the same. Combining with the experiment 2 found that the proficiency of second language will influence the level effect of conceptual representation.In experiment 3 and 4, study phase complete the conceptual decision task, but test phase changed in into lexical decision task of true-false word. Purpose is to examine the association models between languages of less and highly proficient bilinguals. it seemed that on the basic level, learning effect was significant in same-language condition; in cross-language condition, studied reaction time was significant slower than non-studied reaction time. It was found that the association model of highly proficient Chinese-English bilinguals conforms to Word Association Model or Revised Hierarchical Model.The conclusions: 1) Less proficient Chinese-English bilinguals shared conceptual representations on the superordinate level and conceptual representations were separate on the basic level. Found level effect in the conceptual representation of less proficient bilinguals. 2) Highly proficient Chinese-English bilinguals shared conceptual representations partly on the basic level. 3) Less and highly proficient Chinese-English bilinguals conforms to Word Association Mode. Found level effect in the association model of highly proficient bilinguals.