From Sub-Lexical to Discourse-Level Effects in Bi- And Multilingual Language Processing

With the majority of the world population speaking more than one language, cross-language interactions associated with bi- and multilingual language processing have recently received much scholarly attention. While we know from psycholinguistic research that multilingualism modulates cognitive mechanisms of language processing, previous studies have concentrated selectively on specific aspects and/or stages of language processing with little cross-disciplinary insight into multilingualism.

This contribution aims to systematize our knowledge of multilingual language processing by providing a comprehensive overview of the effects observed at the level of sub-lexical (orthographic and phonological), lexico-semantic, and discourse processing. Further, since comprehensive studies of multilingualism require other areas of research (e.g., psychology, sociology, and linguistics), the present volume will bring together multiple fields, methods, and perspectives to provide a cross-disciplinary and diverse overview of the effects of multilingualism.

We encourage manuscript submissions that address research questions related to bi- and multilingual language processing from a theoretical, methodological, and/or experimental point of view. We aim to cover a wide range of research on bi- and multilinguals that includes (but is not limited to), the following topics:

• Language acquisition
• Language co-activation
• Cross-linguistic influence
• Executive control and cognitive reserve
• Sub-lexical processing
• Lexico-semantic processing
• Syntactic processing
• Discourse processing
• Methods of research in linguistic studies
• Language and society
• Cognitive and/or neural models of language processing
• Sociolinguistic approaches do language studies
• Neurolinguistics/neuroscience
• Aphasia
• Clinical language mapping

We welcome Original Research ar We welcome Original Research articles, Brief Research Report, Case Report, Empirical Study articles, as well as Conceptual Analysis, Perspective, Hypothesis & Theory, Review, Systematic Review, General Commentary, and Opinion articles.

Keywords: Bilingualism, Multilingualism, Language Processing, Language Acquisition, Discourse Processing, Language and Society, Neuroscience, Clinical language mapping

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.