Automatic Activation Of Motor Responses In Processing L2 Implicit Location Words

According to the Embodiment Cognition Model,semantic knowledge does not reside in an abstract realm where perception is totally segregated from action,but instead in the realm where perception and action overlap in some degree.On the contrary,the Amodal Symbolic Model insists that concepts consist entirely of abstract symbols that are represented and processed in a semantic system that is completely separate from modality-specific systems for perception and action.Recently,increasing evidence suggests that first-language(L1)processing is closely linked to spatial cognition,motor and perceptual processing.However,little is known about the association between second-language(L2)processing and sensorimotor system.Based on two experiments,the current study attempts to explore the above issue by adopting a vertical Stroop paradigm.Participants are all Chinese-English L2 learners,who are English majors having passed the TEM8.In experiment 1,participants were presented with both L1 and L2 implicit location words(e.g.,roof,root)in four different colors and were required to respond to the words' ink color with an upward or downward arm movements.In experiment 2,only L2 words were shown.Before the two experiments,it was stated that the red and orange colors were related to upward response while the blue and green ones were associated with downward response.Across the experiments,the reaction times(RTs)of the participants were recorded.As a consequence,the RTs in the compatible condition are not significantly shorter than those in the incompatible ones.The result manifests itself that there is a weak automatic association between L2 words processing and motor responses.What is more,the motor response triggered is not so obvious as that of L1 words processing.This conclusion puts a challenge on the strong embodiment cognition,which is in support of the Symbols Interdependency System in the weak embodiment cognition in some degree.Therefore,we can safely conclude that L1 words can activate spatial,motor experiences,but L2 words cannot in most cases except that L2 proficiency is as or almost as good as English speakers.