Project description
Beyond bilingual: how more languages shape brain function
The brain adapts to handling two languages, but does it calibrate when managing three or more? With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MoRE programme explores how true multilingualism might uniquely shape neurocognitive changes beyond those observed in bilinguals. Existing research often conflates bilinguals and multilinguals or overlooks the effects of active language use. MoRE addresses this by comparing individuals with varying levels of multilingual engagement to test whether increased control demands drive distinct adaptations. Using behavioural tasks and EEG, the project explores whether and how executive functions and their neural underpinnings adapt to the added complexity of managing multiple languages. MoRE’s findings can guide language policy by showing the neurocognitive value of not just learning, but actively using, multiple languages.
Objective
This project aims to elucidate whether and how true multilingualism would induce different neurocognitive adaptations from bilingualism. While it may be intuitive to think that managing more than two languages would result in further and/or distinct adaptations, limited available research on multilingualism suggests that any deviation from the bilingual adaptation trajectory may be due to differences in processing and control demands. It is unclear if multilingualism inherently leads to distinct neurocognitive adaptations, or whether differences between bilingual and multilingual engagement only emerge when the control demands on the relevant cognitive mechanisms required in specific cases of multilingualism surpass those of bilingualism. Furthermore, existing research on the neurocognitive effects of multilingualism is scarce and often conflates bilingual and multilingual participants and/or overlooks the effects of engagement. MoRE addresses this gap by comparing three groups of bilingual and multilingual individuals with varying degrees of language engagement, serving as proxies for different control demands. Employing a multifaceted approach, MoRE will incorporate a comprehensive language background questionnaire and combine cognitive behavioural tasks with electroencephalography (EEG) recording. The use of EEG methods to explore multilingualism-induced neurocognitive adaptations remains relatively understudied, positioning MoRE among trending work in the field in demonstrating how cognitive mechanisms calibrate to meet the demands involved in managing more than two languages. MoRE thus seeks to underscore the importance of considering variability in multilingual engagement in brain and cognition studies, and guide stakeholders in facilitating greater diversity and intensity of multilingual engagement practices for broader societal benefit.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
LA1 4YW LANCASTER
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.