The influence of the matching of modality presentation mode and perceptual learning style on the bidialectal switching cost of Cantonese-Mandarin

Abstract

to study the influence of different stimulus modalities on bidialectal switching cost. Then, Experiment 2 used a four-factor (perception learning style, modality presentation mode, language, task) mixed experiment design to study the impact of bidialectal switching cost from the perspective of the matching between the perceived learning style and the stimulus modality. Experiment 3 used a single factor design to study the effect of learning under the optimal presentation paradigm on the cost of bidialectal switching by setting up a control group. Both Experiment 2 and Experiment 3 screened visual learners and auditory learners through The Learning Channel Preference Checklist. The results showed the following: (1) Skilled Cantonese-Mandarin bidialectal speakers experienced a switching cost under the different stimulus modality conditions, with the participants who were given visual cues demonstrating a lower switching cost than those given auditory cues. It should be noted that these results were quite different from previous studies, which showed a higher switching cost with visual cues compared to auditory cues. (2) There was an interaction between the perceptual learning style and the stimulus modality. Under the matching condition, the bidialectal switching cost was lower than in the non-matching condition, and under the visual-visual condition, the switching cost was the lowest. (3) The switching cost was smaller under matching conditions compared to random presentation conditions; that is, the presentation mode that matched the perception learning style with the channel presentation mode was the best stimulus presentation mode. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the channel can affects the cost of bidialectal switching—namely, when the modality presentation mode matches the perceptual learning style of a bidialectal speaker—the bidialectal switching cost is smaller. With the popularization of Mandarin, an increasing number of people in China’s dialect areas have become bidialectal speakers. The results of this study will be helpful in providing theoretical support to improve teaching activities in dialect areas.