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<p>The present study examined language switching in Hindi–English bilingual children, focusing on the role of language dominance in shaping switch costs and switch-cost asymmetry. Fifty-one children were classified into three groups based on dominance profiles (Hindi-dominant, English-dominant, and balanced) and completed a cued picture-naming task involving language repetition and switching. Response times were analysed using a 3 (Group) × 2 (Language) × 2 (Transition) mixed-design ANOVA. A robust main effect of transition indicated significant switch costs, with slower responses on switch trials compared to repeat trials. A main effect of language showed slower naming in English than in Hindi; however, this effect was qualified by a significant Language × Group interaction, reflecting slower performance in the non-dominant language and comparable performance in balanced bilinguals. Critically, a significant three-way interaction (Language × Transition × Group) revealed systematic variation in switch-cost asymmetry across dominance groups. Hindi- and English-dominant children showed asymmetrical switch costs, with larger costs when switching into their dominant language, whereas balanced bilinguals exhibited smaller and more symmetrical switching patterns. These findings support models of bilingual language control that emphasize the role of inhibitory processes and experience-dependent adaptation. The results demonstrate that dominance-related asymmetries in language switching are already evident in childhood and highlight the importance of language experience in shaping lexical access and control mechanisms.</p>

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Language dominance effects on bilingual children: investigating language switching among native Hindi speakers using picture-naming

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月30日

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  • Khushboo Ashokkumar Mishra,
  • Hari Shanker Asthana

摘要

The present study examined language switching in Hindi–English bilingual children, focusing on the role of language dominance in shaping switch costs and switch-cost asymmetry. Fifty-one children were classified into three groups based on dominance profiles (Hindi-dominant, English-dominant, and balanced) and completed a cued picture-naming task involving language repetition and switching. Response times were analysed using a 3 (Group) × 2 (Language) × 2 (Transition) mixed-design ANOVA. A robust main effect of transition indicated significant switch costs, with slower responses on switch trials compared to repeat trials. A main effect of language showed slower naming in English than in Hindi; however, this effect was qualified by a significant Language × Group interaction, reflecting slower performance in the non-dominant language and comparable performance in balanced bilinguals. Critically, a significant three-way interaction (Language × Transition × Group) revealed systematic variation in switch-cost asymmetry across dominance groups. Hindi- and English-dominant children showed asymmetrical switch costs, with larger costs when switching into their dominant language, whereas balanced bilinguals exhibited smaller and more symmetrical switching patterns. These findings support models of bilingual language control that emphasize the role of inhibitory processes and experience-dependent adaptation. The results demonstrate that dominance-related asymmetries in language switching are already evident in childhood and highlight the importance of language experience in shaping lexical access and control mechanisms.