Abstract In this paper, we review the current state of the second language (L2) processing literature and report data suggesting that this subfield should now turn its attention to working memory capacity as an important factor modulating the possibility of (near)-native-like L2 processing. We first review three major overarching accounts of L2 processing (Clahsen et al. 2006a, Grammatical processing in language learners. Applied Psycholinguistics 27. 3–42; Ullman 2001, The declarative/procedural model of lexicon and grammar. Journal of Psycholinguistic Research 30. 37–69; McDonald 2006, Beyond the critical period: Processing-based explanations for poor grammaticality judgment performance by late second language learners. Journal of Memory and Language 55. 381–401; Hopp 2006, Syntactic features and reanalysis in near-native processing. Second Language Research 22. 369–397, and Hopp 2010, Ultimate attainment in L2 inflection: Performance similarities between non-native and native speakers. Lingua 120. 901–931) and frame their predictions in terms of the qualitative and quantitative differences in processing expected between native speakers and L2 learners. We next review event-related potential (ERP) research on L2 processing and argue that the field’s current understanding of qualitative and quantitative differences in ERPs warrants an additional focus on variables other than L2 proficiency that can also predict individual differences in L2 processing. Recent L2 research (relying on ERPs, self-paced reading, and other online measures) suggests that the most promising such variable is working memory (WM) capacity. We summarize results from our recent L2 WM studies – and report new ERP findings – that point to the possibility of a modulatory effect of WM capacity on the nativelikeness of L2 processing. We conclude that the study of WM capacity is the logical next step for this L2 processing subfield.

中文翻译：

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L2处理中的工作内存容量

摘要在本文中，我们回顾了第二语言（L2）处理文献的现状，并报告了数据，表明该子字段现在应将注意力转移到工作记忆容量上，这是调节（接近）原生语言可能性的重要因素。 L2处理。我们首先回顾一下L2处理的三个主要总体说明（Clahsen等人2006a，语言学习者的语法处理。Applied Psycholinguistics 27. 3–42； Ullman 2001，词典和语法的声明/过程模型。PsycholinguisticResearch杂志30。 37-69； McDonald 2006，关键时期之后：第二语言后期学习者对较差的语法判断性能的基于处理的解释，《记忆与语言杂志》 55. 381-401； Hopp 2006，近本机处理中的句法特征和重新分析。第二语言研究22. 369-397，以及Hopp，2010年，第二语言拐弯的最终成就：非母语人士和母语使用者的表现相似之处。Lingua 120. 901–931），并根据母语人士和二语学习者之间在处理上的质和量差异来构想他们的预测。接下来，我们回顾有关L2处理的事件相关电位（ERP）研究，并认为该领域对ERP中质和量差异的当前了解值得我们进一步关注L2能力以外的变量，这些变量还可以预测L2处理中的个体差异。最近的L2研究（依靠ERP，自定进度的阅读和其他在线测量方法）表明，最有希望的此类变量是工作记忆（WM）容量。我们总结了最近的L2 WM研究的结果，并报告了ERP的新发现，这表明WM能力对L2加工的自然相似性可能产生调节作用。我们得出结论，对WM容量的研究是此L2处理子字段合乎逻辑的下一步。