Introduction: Bilingual Memory Representation

Abstract

Cognitive psychologists and cognitive scientists alike will likely attest to the fact that the bulk of research over many decades in these fields has been devoted to the understanding of human memory. We know that we are who we are, because of our memories, and thus, it is one of the most important functions of the mind that one can ponder, research, and try to understand to the fullest extent. Trying to comprehend how we learn mathematical procedures, spatial information, recognition of human faces, reasoning and problem solving, and a whole host of other abilities and skills is due, in large part, to the information that we have encoded and stored in our memories. Consider, therefore, the complexity that ensues when individuals know this information in two, three, or perhaps many languages.

Appendices

List of Keywords and Concepts

Autobiographical memory, Compound, Connectionist models, Coordinate, Deep processing, Dual coding theory, Elaboration, Encoding, Episodic, Event-related potentials (ERPs), Explicit memory, Explicit memory tasks, False memory, Implicit memory processes, Levels of processing, Multistore approach, Partial report technique, Primacy effects, Primary memory, Recency effects, Retrieval, Sensory memory, Sensory store, Serial position effect, Shallow processing, Short-term store, Storage, Subordinate, Suffix effect, Working memory

Thought Questions

• 1. Think about Atkinson and Shiffrin’s (1968) multistore model and use it to explain bilingual memory storage. Is this model able to explain bilingual memory? Do you need to add more memories? If so, which or what kind of memories do you need?

• 2. What is your own view of bilingual memory? If you have your own view of bilingual memory, please take note of it and revisit it after you read this book.

• 3. Please list three ways in which mainstream (i.e., monolingual) research has influenced bilingual memory.