Abstract The present study examines whether age of second language acquisition, duration of exposure to that language, and chronological age determine vocabulary knowledge in 214 Russian–Hebrew bilinguals (ages 19–80, immigration ages 1–46, and exposure duration 7–63 years). Participants reported their language background and completed a multiple-choice vocabulary test in Hebrew, alongside other objective tests of Russian and Hebrew proficiency. While vocabulary scores were below age-matched norms for native Hebrew speakers, they were similar to those of younger native speakers matching in exposure duration. Raw vocabulary scores were similar whether participants immigrated up to age 15 or after that age, although results indicated a negative association between age of immigration and vocabulary scores. A positive association emerged between exposure duration and vocabulary scores, and when analyzing all measures together, age of immigration did not predict vocabulary scores, whereas exposure duration was its main determinant. We suggest that bilingualism itself does not cause a vocabulary gap, and that bilinguals’ vocabulary knowledge in their second language improves with exposure, as it does in native speakers throughout adulthood. The study emphasizes that learning a foreign language requires extensive exposure and that vocabulary learning is a lifelong process.

Dorit Segal

Gitit Kavé

Applied Psycholinguistics

Applied Psycholinguistics publishes original research papers on the psychological processes involved in language. It examines language development , language use and language disorders in adults and children with a particular emphasis on cross-language studies. The journal gathers together the best work from a variety of disciplines including linguistics, psychology, reading, education, language learning, speech and hearing, and neurology. In addition to research reports, theoretical reviews will be considered for publication as will keynote articles and commentaries.

Applied Psycholinguistics publishes original research papers on the psychological processes involved in language. It explores language development, language use, and language disorders in both adults and children, with a particular emphasis on cross-language studies. The journal brings together outstanding work from various disciplines, including linguistics, psychology, reading, education, language learning, speech and hearing, and neurology. In addition to research reports, theoretical reviews, keynote articles, and commentaries will also be considered for publication.

《Applied Psycholinguistics》期刊发表关于语言心理过程的原创研究论文。它研究成人和儿童的语言发展、语言使用和语言障碍，特别强调跨语言研究。该期刊汇集了来自语言学、心理学、阅读、教育、语言学习、言语与听力以及神经科学等多个学科的优秀研究成果。除了研究报告外，理论评述、主题文章和评论也将被考虑发表。

Category	Quartile
文学	2
文学, 语言学	3
文学, 心理学实验	3

Exposure duration is the main determinant of bilinguals’ vocabulary knowledge

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
PSYCHOLOGY, EXPERIMENTAL	2