Verbal self-monitoring in the second language

Speakers monitor their own speech for errors and other problems. To do so, they may rely on perception of their own speech (external monitoring) but also an internal speech representation (internal monitoring). While there are detailed accounts of monitoring in first language (L1) processing, it is not clear if and how monitoring is different in a second language (L2). Here, we ask whether L1 and L2 monitoring differ and if so, where the differences lie. First, L1 and L2 might differ in the speed with which monitoring is performed. We review studies that considered the time course of monitoring in L1 and L2. We also ask whether L1 and L2 monitoring might differ because of differences in the integrity of language production processes. We ask whether and how L2 monitoring performance depends on the L2 learner’s production proficiency. Second, L1 and L2 might differ in their monitoring foci. Thus, when a speaker knows multiple languages, this might add the target language as a monitoring focus so that monitoring can prevent inadvertent lexical selection in the non-target language or a production in L2 with an L1 accent. We discuss studies on bilingual language control and suggest that self-monitoring might function as a last-resort control process, when endogeneous (e.g., inhibition) and exogeneous factors (e.g., contextual language cues) are not enough to prevent a slip to the wrong language. We conclude with speculation on the role self-monitoring might play in L2 learning and suggestions for future research.

Broos, W., Duyck, W., & Hartsuiker, R.J. (in press). Verbal self-monitoring in the second language. Language Learning. PDF available here