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Multilinguals' language choice for mental calculation

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Date

2007

Authors

Dewaele, Jean-Marc

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Mouton Publishers

Abstract

The present study investigates self-reported language choice for mental calculations among 1,454 adult multilinguals from a variety of linguistic, social and ethnic backgrounds. As mental calculation is a complex cognitive operation involving both language-dependent and language independent processes, we sought to establish a baseline of first language (L1) or foreign language(s) (LX) use for mental calculation and identify the factors that influence multilinguals’ choice of language for mental calculation. A series of multiple regression analyses on calculation in the L1, L2, L3 and L4 showed that the following variables (in decreasing order) are the best predictors of language choice: frequency of general use, self-perceived proficiency in writing, socialization in the LX, context of acquisition, communicative and/or foreign language anxiety, perceived usefulness, and age of onset of acquisition. These variables explained over 40 percent of the variance in the foreign languages.

Description

Keywords

Mental calculation, Language choice, Multilinguals

Citation

Intercultural Pragmatics, 4(3): 343-376