Neural effects differ for learning highly iconic versus non-iconic signs in hearing adults

Emily M. Akers ^[1] ; Katherine J. Midgley ^[1] ; Phillip J. Holcomb ^[1] ; Gabriela Meade ^[2] ; Karen Emmorey ^[1]
1. [1] San Diego State University
  
  San Diego State University
  
  Estados Unidos
2. [2] Mayo Clinic
  
  Mayo Clinic
  
  City of Rochester, Estados Unidos
Localización: Bilingualism: Language and cognition, ISSN 1366-7289, Vol. 27, Nº 4, 2024, págs. 655-667
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- Little is known about the neural changes that accompany sign language learning by hearing adults. We used ERPs and a word-sign matching task to assess how learning impacted the N400 priming effect (reduced negativity for translations compared to unrelated trials). English monolinguals (N = 32) learned 100 ASL signs – half highly iconic (meaning was guessable), half non-iconic. In contrast to non-iconic signs, little learning was needed for the highly iconic signs as translation accuracy was similar pre- and post-learning. Prior to learning, an N400 priming effect was observed only for iconic signs. After learning, the size of the priming effect increased for non-iconic signs (replicating word learning studies) but decreased for iconic signs. For deaf ASL signers (N = 20), iconicity did not modulate the size of the N400 priming effect. We conclude that the impact of iconicity on lexico-semantic processing is reduced following learning, as signs are integrated into an emerging visual-manual lexicon.