Bimodal Bilingualism and Executive Functions

Scientific evidence demonstrates that unimodal bilingualism (two spoken languages) has positive effects on executive control. However, few studies have investigated the influence of bimodal bilingualism (spoken language and sign language) on executive functions. This study explores differences between monolinguals, unimodal bilinguals, and bimodal bilinguals in inhibition, planning, and working memory. A total of 80 participants between 18 and 40 years old were evaluated using executive function tasks of inhibition (verbal Stroop; nonverbal Stroop; verbal Simon; nonverbal Simon), planning (Tower of Hanoi) and working memory (Digits, Letters and Numbers, Corsi Cubes, Letters-Figures). The results show that unimodal bilinguals have certain advantages over monolinguals in inhibition, planning, and working memory, which are not present in bimodal bilinguals with regard to the executive functions explored.