The N200 enhancement effect in reading Chinese is modulated by actual writing

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that writing can modulate the orthographic processing of reading in Chinese. We examined whether such a modulatory effect from Chinese writing to reading can occur even when visual feedback is not provided during writing. Using the repetition prime paradigm in conjunction with imagined and actual writing prime tasks, we found that actual but not imagined writing elicited an N200 enhancement effect, which reflects deep orthographic processing in reading Chinese characters at a topographic and ERP level. This effect can be explained by the interaction between writing production processing and the environment during writing execution, which may modulate the subsequent deep orthographic process of reading through a kinesthetic gesture orthographic code system in reading or a tight connection between visual orthography and writing motion. In addition, writing influenced the orthographic processing of Chinese reading in a different way than reading. Our findings suggest that the actual writing process without visual feedback can modulate the orthographic processing in reading Chinese characters, and highlight the crucial role of writing motion in developing Chinese reading ability.