Feb 6
What does it mean to know a language? Examining the multiliterate and multilingual mind
Language is a crucial part of human cognition, and writing is a cultural innovation constrained by and evolved to fit the preferences and patterns of the human visual system. My research tackles questions at the intersection of these two domains, in service of understanding how language is represented in the mind, especially in diverse populations. In particular, I focus on how differences in script influence language processing, particularly in heritage language learners who, although have differential abilities in spoken and written language, have a profound understanding of the language nonetheless.
The rich complexities of written Korean offer a powerful lens through which to investigate these questions. The dynamic, if uneven, relationship between its two scripts Hangul and Hanja, allows us to reconsider the role of writing in the structure of the mental lexicon and whether the mental representation of language is shaped by the way that it is written.
What can written Korean tell us about the relationship between written and spoken language? If most attention has focused on Western European languages with Latinate scripts, how can Korean help us reexamine the cognitive processes that underpin reading, writing, and successful language comprehension?