Work

Asymmetric cognitive restructuring of grammatical gender effects: how genderless English dilutes effects of gendered L1s in categorisation and memory

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates how a genderless second language (English) influences grammatical gender (GG) effects in simultaneous bilinguals whose first languages (L1s) are gendered Ukrainian and Russian. Participants completed categorisation and recall tasks in English to test whether GG effects are modulated by English dominance. This is the first study to examine cognitive restructuring of GG effects in bilinguals with two gendered L1s and a genderless L2. Results revealed partial restructuring: for stimuli with matching GG across both L1s, higher English dominance was linked to reduced GG effects. However, this attenuation varied by task and specific components of English dominance. For mismatching gender stimuli, contrary to predictions, English often reinforced reliance on the more proficient L1. Our findings suggest that English can attenuate GG effects when L1s align and strengthen L1-based patterns when GG systems conflict, highlighting the asymmetric nature of cognitive restructuring across cognitive domains and individual differences in L2.

Source: Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development

DOI: 10.1080/01434632.2026.2621116

Authors: Oleksandra Osypenko, Panos Athanasopoulos

Institutions: Lund University, Lancaster University

Language: English

Topic: Categorization, perception, and language

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Wenner-Gren Stiftelserna