Bilingual language processing: A meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sulpizio, Simone; Del Maschio, Nicola; Fedeli, Davide; Abutalebi, Jubin
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 108(2020)
• Page Start: 834
• Page End: 853
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Bilingualism -- GingerALE -- Language -- Meta-analysis -- fMRI -- PET; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: We used activation likelihood estimation to analyse fMRI studies on bilingual language processing. Lexico-semantics, grammar and phonology in L1 and L2 were considered. A shared neural network emerged for L1 and L2 with few differences. Under-investigated issues are identified and future research directions indicated. Abstract: Notwithstanding rising interest, a coherent picture of the brain's representation of two languages has not yet been achieved. In the present meta-analysis we analysed a large number of functional neuroimaging studies focusing on language processing in bilinguals. We used activation likelihood estimation (ALE) to enucleate activation areas involved in bilingual processing and control of different types of linguistic knowledge – lexico-semantics, grammar, phonology – in L1 and L2. Results show that surprisingly, compared to L2, lexico-semantic processing in L1 involves a widespread system of cortico-subcortical regions, especially when L2 is acquired later in life. By contrast, L2 processing recruits regions exceeding the L1 semantic network and relating to executive control processes. Only few regions displayed selective activation for grammar and phonology. Analyses of language switching highlight a functional overlap between domain-general and bilingual language control networks. Collectively, our findings point to a shared neural network for L1 and L2 with few differences depending on the linguistic level. The emerging picture identifies under-investigated issues, offering clear directions for future research.