New Names for Known Things: On the Association of Novel Word Forms with Existing Semantic Information

Abstract

Abstract■ The plasticity of the adult memory network for integrating novel word forms (lexemes) was investigated with whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG). We showed that spoken word forms of an (artificial) foreign language are integrated rapidly and successfully into existing lexical and conceptual memory networks. The new lexemes were learned in an untutored way, by pairing them frequently with one particular object (and thus meaning), and infrequently with 10 other objects (learned set). Other novel word forms were encountered just as often, but paired with many different objects (nonlearned set). Their impact on semantic memory was assessed with cross-modal priming, with novel word forms as primes and object pictures as targets. The MEG counterpart of the N400 (N400m) served as an indicator of a semantic (mis)match between words and pictures. Prior to learning, all novel words induced a pronounced N400m mismatch effect to the pictures. This component was strongly reduced after training for the learned novel lexemes only, and now closely resembled the brainʼs response to semantically related native-language words. This result cannot be explained by mere stimulus repetition or stimulus-stimulus association. Thus, learned novel words rapidly gained access to existing conceptual representations, as effectively as related native-language words. This association of novel lexemes and conceptual information happened fast and almost without effort. Neural networks mediating these integration processes were found within left temporal lobe, an area typically described as one of the main generators of the N400 response. ■

Tracking lexical consolidation with ERPs: Lexical and semantic-priming effects on N400 and LPC responses to newly-learned words

“…chien-CHAT, dog-CAT) were reduced relative to unrelated pairs (maison-SOIF, home-THIRST). Similar N400 priming effects in MEG data have been reported for novel words that were associated with pictures of existing objects through an implicit, multi-day statistical learning procedure (Dobel et al, 2010). These data suggest that both lexical and semantic N400 effects can be obtained in low-proficiency learners, but leave open the question of exactly how much exposure and postlearning consolidation is necessary for these effects to emerge.…”

Brain signatures of early lexical and morphological learning of a new language

“…However, there is also evidence suggesting that quick changes in language learning are possible. For example, Mestres-Missé, Rodríguez-Fornells, & Münte (2007) showed that new words produced ERP signatures similar to real L1 words after only three exposures when the meaning of the new word could be inferred from the context but not when the new word remained meaningless (for similar findings, see Borovsky et al, 2010;Dobel et al, 2009;Frishkoff et al, 2010). In the same vein, De Diego Balaguer, Toro, Rodríguez-Fornells, & Bachoud-Lévi (2007) found evidence for fast ERP changes in a word and rule learning experiment where violation of syntactic-like rules in an artificial language produced a late positivity after only a four-minute exposure to the new language.…”

All in Its Proper Time: Monitoring the Emergence of a Memory Bias for Novel, Arousing-Negative Words in Individuals with High and Low Trait Anxiety

“…[59], [60]), and offers some ecological validity. The paradigm is similar to Evaluative Conditioning (EC) but differs in some aspects.…”