Recent research has shown that the visual complexity of orthographies across writing systems influences the development of orthographic representations. Simplified and traditional Chinese characters are usually regarded as the most visually complicated writing systems currently in use, with the traditional system showing a higher level of…

To expand our understanding of script-general and script-specific principles in the learning of letter names, we examined how three characteristics of alphabet letters -- their frequency in printed materials, order in the alphabet, and visual similarity to other letters -- relate to children's letter-name knowledge in four languages with three…

To expand our understanding of script-general and script-specific principles in the learning of letter names, we examined how three characteristics of alphabet letters -- their frequency in printed materials, order in the alphabet, and visual similarity to other letters -- relate to children's letter-name knowledge in four languages with three…

Bilingual reading can require more than knowing two languages. Learners must acquire also the writing conventions of their second language, which can differ in its deep mapping principles (writing system) and its visual configurations (script). We review ERP (event-related potential) and fMRI studies of both Chinese-English bilingualism and…

The purpose of this study was to compare mature readers' comprehension of text presented in traditional orthography with their comprehension of text presented in a regularized orthography, specifically, to determine whether, when traditional orthography is regularized, any loss of meaning is attributable to the loss of the visual dissimilarity of…

THE VARIOUS PROCESSES AND CONTROLS INVOLVED IN THE VARIATION OF EYE MOVEMENTS ACCORDING TO READING MATERIAL ARE DISCUSSED. RELEVANT RESEARCH LITERATURE IS CITED, AND AREAS REQUIRING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ARE OUTLINED. LANGUAGE TEXT CONTROL AND THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AS POSSIBLE LOCI OF CONTROL FOR EYE MOVEMENTS ARE EXPLORED. EVIDENCE SUPPORTING…

Shows that the ability to impose a distinct and exact meaning on what is seen underlies the skills involved in reading; notes the importance of training in perception combined with a clear sense of the purpose of reading. (GT)

Examines the perception of components of written and spoken codes of human communication from a broad perspective in an attempt to identify possible similarities. (GT)