Perspective Chapter: How can Psycholinguistic Researches Respond To Societal Needs

Abstract

This chapter examines prevailing trends in applied psycholinguistics centered on two pressing real-world imperatives—fostering equitable multilingual development and enabling clinical rehabilitation after language impairment. It first delineates how psycholinguistic approaches illuminate the intricate cognitive mechanisms underlying bilingual language representation, processing, and executive control during code-switching. Persistent challenges in validating assessments of multifaceted proficiency across languages are also discussed. Next, neural correlates of speech-language recovery are detailed, including insights from neuroimaging on how interventions harnessing both cognitive capacities and language networks can optimize outcomes. Additional coverage touches on augmenting naming accuracy in anomia through working memory training protocols. Ultimately, priorities in applied psycholinguistic research are rapidly transitioning from purely theoretical models toward substantively advancing educational accessibility and communication disorder interventions via illuminating authentic dynamics of language usage across diverse cultural settings. However, substantial lacunas remain in accounting for individual variability, motivational influences, and societal forces shaping both multilingual attainment and rehabilitation efficacy. Progress necessitates interdisciplinary collaboration integrating psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic perspectives to construct cohesive solutions that equitably benefit all global communities.