复杂二语手部动作语言理解产生动作一致性效应的ERP研究

Motor Compatibility Effect on the Comprehension of Complex Manual Action Sentences in L2:An ERP Study

具身认知理论认为语言理解过程中,大脑中感知-运动系统会被激活,通过具身模拟特定的动作、情境等理解语言的意义。本研究基于该理论探究了二语学习者理解动作语言材料过程中产生的动作一致性效应的大脑活动。实验句为汉语,包含两种情况:通过并列句式“一边……一边……”连接的两个不能同时完成的手部动作,即不一致的手部动作;和通过连贯句式“先……然后……”连接的可以相继完成的手部动作,即一致的手部动作。在句子的第二个动词短语处记录事件相关电位(ERPs)。脑电结果显示并列句式连接的不一致的手部动作比连贯句式连接的一致的手部动作诱发更大的晚期正波,分布在前中部脑区,该成分的诱发归因于身体性冲突。实验结果验证了二语学习者在加工整合复杂动作句过程中也会产生具身性效应,但是二语具身加工需要更多的认知资源和更长的时间。

Embodiment theories proposed that the comprehension of language involves sensory-motor simulation in the brain.The present study examined the brain response to motor compatibility effect in comprehending action-related linguistic materials for participants learning Chinese as a second language(L2).In this study,participants are required to read action-related sentences describing an agent performing two manual actions simultaneously or sequentially by manipulating temporal conjunctions.The sentences with simultaneous actions are marked by Chinese parallel structure一边……一边……(“while”)showing non-congruent motor condition while the sequential action sentences are marked by先……然后……(“after”)showing congruent motor condition.Event-Related Potentials(ERPs)were recorded with the second verb phrase.A larger fronto-central late positivity was observed for the sentences with simultaneous actions rather than the sentences with sequential actions due to body constraints,revealing that late L2 Chinese learners integrate embodied knowledge while processing action-related complex sentence despite demanding more cognitive resources,and longer processing time.