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In:Bilingualism: A framework for understanding the mental lexicon
Edited by Maya Libben, Mira Goral and Gary Libben †
[Bilingual Processing and Acquisition 6] 2017
► pp. 7–26

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Languages without borders

Reframing the study of the bilingual mental lexicon

Published online: 20 December 2017
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https://doi.org/10.1075/bpa.6.01vai
What might the study of language processing look like if the canonical language user were assumed to be bilingual? In this chapter we offer some reflections on how the origins, assumptions and practices of psycholinguistics constructed a particular view of language and of the typical language user, with distinct consequences for the construction of bilingualism as an object of inquiry. We suggest that if psycholinguistics is to fully embrace its “bilingual turn” it will benefit from exploring new ways of conceptualizing and approaching the study of bilingual language processing rather than uncritically adopting questions and approaches that were initially framed to understand single language use. Specifically, we suggest that research designs that allow language phenomena to emerge, rather than be expressly manipulated or restricted by researchers’ preconceived assumptions and that build in a broader range of variables and consider an expanded range of bilingual groups, will advance our understanding of the bilingual mental lexicon in important ways.
Article outline
  • 1.Metaphors of bilingual abilities
  • 2.Some predictions
  • 3.Evidence related to prediction on research settings
  • 4.Evidence related to prediction on characterization of bilinguals
  • 5.Evidence related to prediction on group comparisons
  • 6.Evidence related to predictions on bilingual forms of language use
    • 6.1Code-switching
    • 6.2Language mode
  • 7.Towards a bilingual focus in research on bilingualism
  • 8.Some recommendations
    • 8.1Variability in language experience as informative
    • 8.2Deconstructing linguistic competence – the impact of modality
    • 8.3When does language as a category matter?
    • 8.4Foregrounding conversational contexts
    • 8.5Bringing identity into the picture
  • 9.Conclusion: Why rethinking the study of bilingualism matters
  • Author note
  • References
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