Comprehensive Guide to Bilingualism, AAC, and Aphasia in Speech-Language Pathology

What are the three types of competence required for AAC users?

Linguistic, operational, and social/strategic competence.

What AAC consideration applies to a deaf infant?

Strong linguistic competence potential, but may rely on early visual/manual communication (e.g., sign).

How is language proficiency defined in a multilingual context?

The language one knows the best.

Why is AAC appropriate for someone with aphasia?

It supports communication when language production or comprehension is impaired.

How is language dominance defined in a multilingual context?

The language one uses the most.

What are the two main theories regarding how multilinguals store vocabulary?

One vocabulary (mixed) or multiple vocabularies (one for each language).

• Spivey and Marian (1999) supported this theory

What does the 'One Vocabulary' hypothesis suggest about language activation?

Words in both languages are always activated simultaneously when listening.

• all languages are stored together in one system

What does the 'Multiple Vocabularies' hypothesis suggest about language activation?

Only words in the relevant language are activated.

• each language has its own storage system

What did the Spivey and Marian (1999) study use to test word activation in bilinguals?

Eyetracking.

What were the results of the Spivey and Marian (1999) study regarding bilingual lexical access?

Bilinguals looked at similar-sounding words in the wrong language more than other competitors, suggesting both languages are activated.

• One/multiple vocab

Who were the participants in Peristeri et al. (2017)?

Serbian–Greek bilinguals living in a Greek (L2) environment.

What is the 'Picture Word Interference Task' used for?

To study semantic interference in production by naming a picture with a superimposed word.

• Peristeri et al (2017)

What causes semantic interference in production tasks?

Competition between words and the flow of activation to semantic associates.

In the Peristeri et al. (2017) study, what linguistic feature was used to test interference?

Grammatical gender.

Why is grammatical gender important in this study?

Both Greek and Serbian have grammatical gender, allowing cross-language comparison.

What is the difference between early and late bilinguals in this study?

• Early: exposed to Greek before age 4

• Late: exposed after age 22

What did Peristeri et al. (2017) find regarding early bilinguals and language interference?

Early bilinguals were able to ignore the non-target language.

What did Peristeri et al. (2017) find regarding late bilinguals and language interference?

Late bilinguals could not ignore the non-target language when there was a gender mismatch.

How does age of acquisition affect a bilingual's ability to manage language interference?

Earlier acquisition (especially under age 6) leads to better management of interference.

What happens to words on the same level of activation in the lexical access model?

They compete with one another.

In the context of lexical access, what flows to semantic associates?

Activation.

Why is it important to consider if a bilingual speaker can ignore a non-target language?

It reveals whether lexical access is language-specific or integrated.

What is the main takeaway regarding language activation in bilinguals?

Both languages are typically active when listening, supporting the 'One Vocabulary' model.

What is the general consensus regarding the amount of research on aphasia in multilingual individuals?

Research is minimal, and most conclusions remain speculative.

What is the most common pattern of language impairment and recovery in multilingual aphasia patients?

Parallel impairment and recovery, occurring in approximately 60% of cases.

What does the Spivey and Marian (1999) study suggest about language separation in the brain?

There is no strict separation between languages in the brain.

Besides parallel recovery, what other pattern of impairment is frequently observed in multilingual aphasia?

Uneven damage and recovery, where every pattern is attested.

What factors influence whether aphasia recovery is parallel or uneven in multilinguals?

Proficiency, language dominance, age of acquisition, manner of acquisition, and the exact site of the lesion.

What were the participants’ languages in Fabbro (2001)?

• L1: Friulian

• L2: Italian

When was Italian (L2) learned in Fabbro (2001)?

Early—before age 6 (school language)

What does Fabbro (2001) show about multilingual aphasia?

Uneven impairment across languages is common.

What did Fabbro (2001) observe regarding Friulian-Italian bilinguals?

20% showed greater impairment of L2 (2nd language), while 15% showed greater impairment of L1 (1st language).

How does high proficiency in an L2 affect its neurological storage compared to an L1?

Higher proficiency typically results in more neurological overlap between the two languages.

How does describing something in your L1 differ from an L2?

• L1: more automatic, less effort

• L2: requires more conscious effort

What is the primary goal of the Picture Word Interference Task used in the Peristeri et al. (2017) study?

To test whether a speaker can ignore a superimposed word while naming a picture.

What does the Peristeri et al. (2017) study suggest about the impact of Age of Acquisition?

Age of acquisition changes cognitive access to the language. IT MATTERS

• Younger (especially under 6 yrs) = Better

• Peristeri et al 2017

Are multilinguals less likely to experience aphasia than monolinguals?

No, there is no evidence that bilinguals acquire aphasia at a lower rate.

Is there a strict separation between languages in the brain?

No, languages are not strictly separated.

What potential advantage might multilinguals have regarding aphasia recovery?

They may recover faster due to better executive control.

What is the function of executive control in the brain?

It controls resource allocation, task planning, attention, self-regulation, inhibition, and facilitation.

What is the controversial hypothesis regarding bilingualism and executive control?

That the constant need to decide between two languages provides the brain with exercise, improving executive control.

Why might bilinguals have stronger executive control?

Because they constantly switch between languages.

What did Ellen Bialystok & Viswanathan (2009) study?

Whether bilinguals have better executive control.

What three aspects of executive control were tested in the Bialystok and Viswanathan (2009) study?

• Response suppression

• Inhibitory control

• Switching

What is response suppression?

Ignoring a conflicting rule (e.g., responding based on eye color rules).

What is inhibitory control?

Ignoring distractions (e.g., gaze direction).

What is switching?

Shifting between tasks or rules.

What were the findings of Bialystok and Viswanathan (2009) regarding bilinguals?

• Bilinguals showed better switching and inhibitory control compared to monolinguals

• No difference in response suppression

What is a significant limitation of the Bialystok and Viswanathan (2009) study?

The results have never been successfully replicated.

Can aphasia be caused by damage to subcortical structures?

Yes, such as in the case of Conduction Aphasia.

Why is the study of aphasia in multilinguals considered speculative?

Because the research base is minimal despite the fact that the majority of the world is multilingual.

What is the role of the 'site of the lesion' in aphasia recovery?

It is a critical factor, alongside proficiency and dominance, in determining which language is more impaired.

In the context of the Picture Word Interference Task, what happens when there is a gender mismatch?

The speaker struggles to ignore the non-target language, leading to interference.

What defines an 'early bilingual' in the Peristeri et al. (2017) study?

Exposure to the second language before the age of 4.

What defines a 'late bilingual' in the Peristeri et al. (2017) study?

Exposure to the second language after the age of 22.

What is the relationship between executive control and aphasia recovery?

Improved cognitive skills and executive control are hypothesized to assist in faster recovery from aphasia.

Are multilinguals less likely to get aphasia?

No