Effect of language proficiency on neuro-cognitive model in Chinese-English language perception: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Abstract

Objective To explore the significance of language proficiency in bilingual perception in Chinese-English late bilingual subjects with block-design functional magnetic resonance imaging (bfMRI). Methods Thirteen right-handed Chinese Han healthy male late bilinguists who had limited English proficiency were scanned while listening to short sentences in Chinese and English. Based on blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal efficacy, functional images were collected using a 1.5-T MRI. Statistical parametric mapping 2 (SPM2) was used to analyze the data of functional images (P 100). Results For Chinese familiar voices, more significant activation was observed in the right superior temporal gyrus than that for English familiar voices. On the contrary, more significant activations for English familiar voices were observed in the left precuneus, middle frontal gyrus and left posterior cingulate cortex compared with that for Chinese familiar voices.For Chinese unfamiliar voices, more significant activations were observed in the right middle temporal gyrus and right medial frontal gyrus than that for English unfamiliar voices. In contrast, more significant activations by English unfamiliar voices were observed in the right inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus and left middle temporal gyrus compared with that for Chinese unfamiliar voices. Conclusion Language proficiency may play an important role in different language perception from auditory level. Key words: Language proficiency; Block design; Functional MRI