EXPRESS: What Phonological Overlap Effects Reveal about the Role of Working Memory in Native and Nonnative Language Processing

The present study sheds light on effects of similarity-based interference due to phonological overlap, as well as working memory during silent reading in native and nonnative speakers. While prior research has mainly focused on syntactic complexity or ambiguity to gain insight into nonnative language processing and the role of working memory, the effects of phonological overlap have remained poorly understood. Using multiline texts with varying degrees of phonological overlap, we examined whether increased amounts of overlap disrupt online reading and offline recall, and whether effects differ across native and nonnative groups or vary as a function of working memory capacity. Results revealed that greater phonological overlap caused delays during online processing, but without impacting offline recall. Crucially, native and nonnative speakers experienced online interference similarly, and working memory modulated these effects in comparable ways across both groups. These results suggest convergence both in overt behavior and in how underlying cognitive resources are used. Findings are discussed with respect to their implications for theories of native-nonnative language processing differences and possible directions for further research.