Description: Bringing together cutting-edge research, this Handbook is the first comprehensive text to examine the pivotal role of working memory in first and second language acquisition, processing, impairments, and training. Authored by a stellar cast of distinguished scholars from around the world, the Handbook provides authoritative insights on work from diverse, multi-disciplinary perspectives, and introduces key models of working memory in relation to language. Following an introductory chapter by working memory pioneer Alan Baddeley, the collection is organized into thematic sections that discuss working memory in relation to: Theoretical models and measures; Linguistic theories and frameworks; First language processing; Bilingual acquisition and processing; and Language disorders, interventions, and instruction. The Handbook is sure to interest and benefit researchers, clinicians, speech therapists, and advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in linguistics, psychology, education, speech therapy, cognitive science, and neuroscience, or anyone seeking to learn more about language, cognition and the human mind.
Brief description: John W. Schwieter is Professor of Spanish and Linguistics, and Director of Bilingualism Matters at Laurier and the Language Acquisition, Multilingualism, and Cognition Laboratory at Wilfrid Laurier University. He is Executive Editor of Bilingual Processing and Acquisition and Co-Editor of Cambridge Elements in Second Language Acquisition.
Review Quotes: 'All you ever wanted to know about language and working memory is in this volume! Top researchers present theoretical models of working memory, cover diverse aspects of linguistic memory, and provide evidence from distinct populations (children, adults, atypical individuals, bilinguals, signers, and more). The final chapter synthesizes this work, pointing the way toward a unified theory of working memory and language.' Karen Emmorey, Distinguished Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, San Diego State University, United States