The complexity-cost factor in bilingualism

Behav Brain Sci. 2013 Aug;36(4):355-6. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X12002579. Epub 2013 Jun 24.

Abstract

Language processing changes with the knowledge and use of two languages. The advantage of being bilingual comes at the expense of increased processing demands and processing costs. I suggest considering bilingual complexity including these demands and costs. The proposed model claims effortless monolingual processing. By integrating individual and situational variability, the model would lose its idealistic touch, even for monolinguals.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Comprehension / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Speech / physiology*
  • Speech Perception / physiology*