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Daily and Ethnic Discriminatory Experiences and Cognitive Control in Mexican-Origin Bilingual Language Brokers

Daily and Ethnic Discriminatory Experiences and Cognitive Control in Mexican-Origin Bilingual Language Brokers

Authors :
Su Yeong Kim
Jinjin Yan
Wen Wen
Jiaxiu Song
Shanting Chen
Minyu Zhang
Belem G. Lopez
Maria M. Arredondo
Marci E. J. Gleason
Ka I. Ip
Source :
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. 2024 27(7):978-992.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Few studies have considered bilingualism's impact on cognitive development within the sociolinguistic and cultural context of the immigrant communities where bilingualism is commonly practiced. In the United States, many Mexican-origin bilingual youth practice their bilingual skills by "brokering" (i.e. translating/interpreting between languages) for their immigrant parents who have low English proficiency. Meanwhile, these youth may also experience discrimination in their daily life. The present study focuses on Mexican-origin bilingual youth brokers (N = 334) in order to examine how discriminatory experiences (i.e. daily and ethnic discrimination) and bilingual brokering experiences captured by profiles are related to cognitive control performance (i.e. attentional control and inhibition). We found no significant direct influence of either bilingual broker profiles or discriminatory experiences on cognitive control. However, the associations between discriminatory experiences and cognitive control performance depended upon brokering experiences. Specifically, greater discrimination was associated with lower cognitive control performance among moderate brokers (with moderate bilingual experiences), but the association was attenuated among efficacious brokers (with positive bilingual experiences). Findings highlight the need to consider the sociolinguistic heterogeneity of both discriminatory experiences and language use when investigating cognitive control performance in bilinguals.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1367-0050 and 1747-7522
Volume :
27
Issue :
7
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1429950
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2024.2308663