Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Are there cognitive benefits of code-switching in bilingual children? A longitudinal study

Published inBilingualism, vol. 23, no. 3, p. 542-553
Publication date2019-06-03
First online date2019-06-03
Abstract

Abstract

The current study explored bilingual parent and child code-switching patterns over time. Concurrent and predictive models of code-switching behaviour on executive function outcomes were also examined in a sample of 29 French–English bilinguals at 36 (Wave 1) and 61 (Wave 2) months of age. We investigated whether code-switching typology in a single-language context predicted executive function performance at each wave independently, and whether growth in code-switching frequency across waves predicted executive function performance at Wave 2. At both waves, parents and children participated in two free play sessions (in English and French), followed by a battery of executive function tasks administered in the dominant language. Results indicate more frequent code-switching from the non-dominant to the dominant language in children, and that children code-switch to fill lexical gaps. Results also suggest that less frequent code-switching in a single-language context is associated with better inhibitory control skills during the preschool period.

Keywords
  • Code-switching
  • Inhibitory control
  • Inter-sentential
  • Intra-sentential
Funding
  • NICHD NIH HHS - [R01 HD068458]
Citation (ISO format)
KUZYK, Olivia et al. Are there cognitive benefits of code-switching in bilingual children? A longitudinal study. In: Bilingualism, 2019, vol. 23, n° 3, p. 542–553. doi: 10.1017/S1366728918001207
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
accessLevelPublic
Identifiers
Journal ISSN1366-7289
169views
220downloads

Technical informations

Creation10/10/2022 10:07:00
First validation10/10/2022 10:07:00
Update time16/03/2023 09:08:07
Status update16/03/2023 09:08:06
Last indexation01/11/2024 03:37:18
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack