An ERP study of neural representation of visual processing of Chinese characters among L1 and L2 Chinese readers using a repetition detection task

Abstract

This study examined the visual-orthographic processing (lexicality effect, radical position effect and radical legality effect) of first language Chinese readers (L1 readers, aged from 19-23) and second language Chinese readers (L2 readers, aged from 15-21) by using event-related potential (ERP). Eighteen L1 readers and eighteen L2 readers were recruited. The Chinese reading proficiency of L2 readers were all around/above Primary 2 level. ERPs results revealed that in both of the participant groups, lexicality effect and radical position effect occurred in P100 component, but not in N170 and P200 component. Besides, left lateralization in P100 component was also shown. No radical legality effect was shown in any of the components. The lexicality and radical position effect found in L2 readers contributed to the development of pedagogy in Chinese learning.