| Sumario: | Purpose: The present study investigated linguistic factors that influence lexical processing in dual-language learner (DLL) children. Method: A total of 134 children--66 dLl children and 68 monolingual classmates in Grades 2-6--completed a battery of standardized and experimental measures. In the cross-linguistic task, children selected one of three words that matched a picture. Cross-linguistic trials included either cognate targets or false-friend foils. Results: Relative to baseline, DLL children's performance was affected by the presence of cognate targets but not of false-friend foils. However, false-friend inhibition was mitigated by Spanish proficiency. Conclusions: DLL children's knowledge of multiple languages makes word reading a qualitatively different process relative to that of monolinguals. The effect of cross-linguistic activation on DLL children's English performance is discussed.
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