English

An exploratory study of L1-specific non-words

Computation and Language 2020-09-03 v1

Abstract

In this paper, we explore L1-specific non-words, i.e. non-words in a target language (in this case Swedish) that are re-ranked by a different-language language model. We surmise that speakers of a certain L1 will react different to L1-specific non-words than to general non-words. We present the results from two small case studies exploring whether re-ranking non-words with different language models leads to a perceived difference in `Swedishness' (pilot study 1) and whether German and English native speakers have longer reaction times in a lexical decision task when presented with their respective L1-specific non-words (pilot study 2). Tentative results seem to indicate that L1-specific non-words are processed second-slowest, after purely Swedish-looking non-words.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2009.01134,
  title  = {An exploratory study of L1-specific non-words},
  author = {David Alfter},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2009.01134},
  year   = {2020}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-23T18:16:15.698Z