Reading across writing systems: A meta-analysis of the neural correlates for first and second language reading. Issue 3 (21st May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Hehui; Zhang, Jia; Ding, Guosheng
• Is Part Of: Bilingualism. Volume 24:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 537
• Page End: 548
• Publication Date: 2021-05-21
• Subjects: meta-analysis, -- reading, -- bilinguals, -- fMRI; Bilingualism -- Periodicals; Psycholinguistics -- Periodicals; Language acquisition -- Periodicals; 404.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S136672892000070X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-7289

Abstract

Abstract: Numerous studies have investigated the neural correlates of reading in two languages. However, reliable conclusions have not been established as to the relationship of the neural correlates underlying reading in the first (L1) and second (L2) language. Here, we conduct meta-analyses to address this issue. We found that compared to L1, the left inferior parietal lobule showed greater activation during L2 processing across all bilingual studies. We then divided the literature into two categories: bilingual participants who learned two languages with different writing systems and bilinguals who learned two languages with similar writing systems. We found that language differences in the neural correlates of reading were generally modulated by writing system similarity, except the region of the left inferior parietal lobule, which showed preferences for L2 reading in both types of bilinguals. These findings provide new insights into the brain mechanisms underlying reading in bilinguals.