The last three decades have seen significant development in understanding and describing the effects of task complexity on learner internal processes. However, researchers have primarily employed behavioral methods to investigate task-generated cognitive load. Being the first to adopt neuroimaging to study second language (L2) task effects, we aimed to provide novel insights into the neural correlates of task-related variation in L2 oral production. To advance research methodology, we also tested the utility of a neuroimaging technique, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in examining the impact of task-related variables on L2 speech production when combined with cognitive–behavioral tools (speech analysis, expert and learner judgments). Our research focus was the effects of task complexity on silent pausing. Twenty-four Japanese learners of English completed eight simple and complex versions of decision-making tasks, half in their first language and half in their L2. The dataset for the present study included the L2 speech and fMRI data, expert judgments, and participants’ difficulty ratings of the L1 and L2 tasks they completed. Based on our findings, we concluded that brain imaging and L1 task difficulty ratings were more sensitive to detecting task complexity effects than L2 self-ratings and pausing measures. These results point to the benefits of triangulating cognitive and neural data to study task-based neurocognitive processes.

中文翻译：

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第二语言语音生成中的任务生成过程：探索无声停顿期间任务复杂性的神经关联


过去三十年来，在理解和描述任务复杂性对学习者内部过程的影响方面取得了重大进展。然而，研究人员主要采用行为方法来研究任务产生的认知负荷。作为第一个采用神经影像学来研究第二语言 (L2) 任务效果的人，我们的目标是为 L2 口语表达中任务相关变化的神经关联提供新的见解。为了推进研究方法，我们还测试了神经成像技术、功能磁共振成像 (fMRI) 的实用性，以检查与认知行为工具（语音分析、专家和学习者）相结合的任务相关变量对第二语言生成的影响。判断）。我们的研究重点是任务复杂性对无声暂停的影响。 24 名日本英语学习者完成了八个简单和复杂版本的决策任务，其中一半使用母语，一半使用第二语言。本研究的数据集包括 L2 语音和功能磁共振成像数据、专家判断以及参与者对其完成的 L1 和 L2 任务的难度评级。根据我们的研究结果，我们得出结论，大脑成像和 L1 任务难度评级对于检测任务复杂性影响比 L2 自我评级和暂停措施更敏感。这些结果表明了三角测量认知和神经数据来研究基于任务的神经认知过程的好处。