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Language and thought in a multilingual context: the case of isiXhosa

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>04/2014
<mark>Journal</mark>Bilingualism: Language and Cognition
Issue number2
Volume17
Number of pages11
Pages (from-to)431-441
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Situated within the grammatical aspect approach to motion event cognition, this study takes a first step in investigating language and thought in functional multilinguals by studying L1 isiXhosa speakers living in South Africa. IsiXhosa being a non-aspect language, the study investigates how the knowledge and use of additional languages with grammatical aspect influence cognition of endpoint-oriented motion events among L1 isiXhosa speakers. Results from a triads-matching task show that participants who often used aspect languages and had greater exposure to English in primary education were less prone to rely on endpoints when categorising motion events.