Syntactic processing of Mandarin Chinese as a second language recruits a crucial frontoparietal network

• Gao, Chenyang ^[1] ; Guo, Jia ^[2] ; Zhang, Liaoyuan ^[3] ; Li, Zimu ^[4] ; Chen, Luyao ^[4] ; Feng, Liping ^[4]
  1. [1] Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

     Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

     China

     
  2. [2] Beijing Foreign Studies University

     Beijing Foreign Studies University

     China

     
  3. [3] Beijing Institute of Education

     Beijing Institute of Education

     China

     
  4. [4] Beijing Normal University

     Beijing Normal University

     China

     

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• Localización: Bilingualism: Language and cognition, ISSN 1366-7289, Vol. 29, Nº 3, 2026, págs. 755-772
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1017/s1366728925100138
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Previous L1 syntactic processing studies have identified the crucial left frontotemporal network, whereas research on L2 syntactic processing has shown that learner factors, such as L2 proficiency and linguistic distance, can modulate the related networks. Here, we developed a function-word-based jabberwocky sentence reading paradigm to investigate the neural correlates underlying Chinese L2 syntactic processing. Twenty Chinese L2 Korean native speakers were recruited in this fMRI study. Chinese proficiency test scores and Chinese-Korean syntactic similarity scores were measured to quantify the learner factors, respectively. The imaging results revealed an effective left frontoparietal network involving superior parietal lobule (SPL), posterior inferior frontal gyrus (pIFG) and precentral gyrus (PreCG). Moreover, the signal intensity of SPL as well as the connectivity strength between SPL and PreCG significantly correlated with the learner factors. These findings shed light on the neurobiological relationships between L1 and L2 syntactic processing and on the modulation of L2 learner factors.

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