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Cambridge Language Sciences

Interdisciplinary Research Centre
 

Dr John Williams

Research

Specialises in the cognitive mechanisms of second language learning and second language lexical and syntactic processing. Work draws on theoretical concepts and experimental methodologies from cognitive psychology, and applies these to second language processing and learning using laboratory-based methods. Recent research focuses on implicit learning of form-meaning connections (funded by the ESRC, http://www.esrc.ac.uk/my-esrc/grants/RES-000-22-3030/read), and incidental learning of word order regularities.

Publications (from Symplectic)

Journal articles

2024 (Published online)

  • Williams, JN. and Xue, Y., 2024 (Published online). Learning without awareness revisited and reconsidered Studies in Second Language Acquisition,
    Doi: 10.1017/s0272263124000500
    •

    2023

  • Bovolenta, G. and Williams, JN., 2023. Implicit Learning in Production: Productive Generalization of New Form-Meaning Connections in the Absence of Awareness LANGUAGE LEARNING, v. 73
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12551
    •

    2020

  • Williams, JN., 2020. The Neuroscience of Implicit Learning LANGUAGE LEARNING, v. 70
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12405
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    2018

  • Graham, CR. and Williams, JN., 2018. Implicit learning of Latin stress regularities Studies in Second Language Acquisition, v. 40
    Doi: 10.1017/S0272263116000371
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  • Sheehan, M., Paciorek, A. and Williams, JN., 2018. Case/agreement matching: Evidence for a cognitive bias GLOSSA-A JOURNAL OF GENERAL LINGUISTICS, v. 3
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.5334/gjgl.413
    •
  • Tao, Y. and Williams, JN., 2018. Generalization of Syntactic Knowledge in Semiartificial Language Learning LANGUAGE LEARNING, v. 68
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12299
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    2016 (Accepted for publication)

  • Hodzik, E. and Williams, JN., 2016 (Accepted for publication). Predictive processes during simultaneous interpreting from German into English Interpreting, v. 19
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1075/intp.19.1.01hod
    •

    2016

  • Hanna, J., Shtyrov, Y., Williams, J. and Pulvermuller, F., 2016. Early neurophysiological indices of second language morphosyntax learning Neuropsychologia, v. 82
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.01.001
    •

    2015

  • Paciorek, A. and Williams, JN., 2015. Implicit Learning of Semantic Preferences of Verbs Studies in Second Language Acquisition, v. 37
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263115000108
    •
  • Grey, S., Williams, JN. and Rebuschat, P., 2015. Individual differences in incidental language learning: Phonological working memory, learning styles, and personality LEARNING AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES, v. 38
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2015.01.019
    •
  • Paciorek, A. and Williams, JN., 2015. IMPLICIT LEARNING OF SEMANTIC PREFERENCES OF VERBS STUDIES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION, v. 37
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263115000108
    •
  • Paciorek, A. and Williams, JN., 2015. Semantic generalization in implicit language learning. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn, v. 41
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1037/xlm0000100
    •
  • Vukovic, N. and Williams, JN., 2015. Individual differences in spatial cognition influence mental simulation of language. Cognition, v. 142
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2015.05.017
    •

    2014

  • Vukovic, N. and Williams, JN., 2014. Automatic perceptual simulation of first language meanings during second language sentence processing in bilinguals. Acta Psychol (Amst), v. 145
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2013.11.002
    •
  • Grey, S., Williams, JN. and Rebuschat, P., 2014. INCIDENTAL EXPOSURE AND L3 LEARNING OF MORPHOSYNTAX STUDIES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION, v. 36
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263113000727
    •
  • Grey, S., Williams, JN. and Rebuschat, P., 2014. Incidental Exposure and L3 Learning of Morphosyntax Studies in Second Language Acquisition, v. 36
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263113000727
    •
  • Leung, JHC. and Williams, JN., 2014. CROSSLINGUISTIC DIFFERENCES IN IMPLICIT LANGUAGE LEARNING STUDIES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION, v. 36
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263114000333
    •

    2012

  • Rebuschat, P. and Williams, J., 2012. Implicit and explicit knowledge in second language acquisition Studies in Second Language Acquisition, v. 33
    •

    2011

  • Leung, JHC. and Williams, JN., 2011. THE IMPLICIT LEARNING OF MAPPINGS BETWEEN FORMS AND CONTEXTUALLY DERIVED MEANINGS STUD SECOND LANG ACQ, v. 33
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263110000525
    •
  • Leung, JHC. and Williams, JN., 2011. Constraints on implicit learning of grammatical form-meaning connections Language Learning,
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9922.2011.00637.x
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  • Rebuschat, P. and Williams, JN., 2011. Implicit and explicit knowledge in second language acquisition Applied Psycholinguistics,
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0142716411000580
    •

    2010

  • Williams, J., 2010. Implicit learning and SLA Second Language, v. 9
    •
  • Williams, JN., 2010. Initial Incidental Acquisition of Word Order Regularities: Is It Just Sequence Learning? LANG LEARN, v. 60
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9922.2010.00607.x
    •

    2008

  • Elston-Guttler, K. and Williams, J., 2008. L1 polysemy affects L2 meaning interpretation: Evidence for L1 concepts active during L2 reading Second Language Research, v. 24
    •
  • Williams, JN. and Kuribara, C., 2008. Comparing a nativist and emergentist approach to the initial stage of SLA: An investigation of Japanese scrambling LINGUA, v. 118
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.lingua.2007.03.003
    •
  • Elston-Guettler, KE. and Williams, JN., 2008. First language polysemy affects second language meaning interpretation: evidence for activation of first language concepts during second language reading SECOND LANG RES, v. 24
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1177/0267658307086300
    •

    2007

  • Salamoura, A. and Williams, JN., 2007. Processing verb argument structure across languages: Evidence for shared representations in the bilingual lexicon APPL PSYCHOLINGUIST, v. 28
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0142716407070348
    •
  • Salamoura, A. and Williams, JN., 2007. The representation of grammatical gender in the bilingual lexicon: Evidence from Greek and German BILING-LANG COGN, v. 10
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    2006

  • Salamoura, A. and Williams, JN., 2006. Lexical activation of cross-language syntactic priming BILING-LANG COGN, v. 9
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728906002641
    •
  • Williams, JN., 2006. Incremental interpretation in second language sentence processing BILING-LANG COGN, v. 9
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728905002385
    •
  • Breheny, R., Katsos, N. and Williams, J., 2006. Are generalised scalar implicatures generated by default? An on-line investigation into the role of context in generating pragmatic inferences COGNITION, v. 100
    Doi: 10.1016/j.cognition.2005.07.003
    •

    2005

  • Williams, JN. and Lovatt, P., 2005. Phonological memory and rule learning LANG LEARN, v. 55
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  • Williams, JN., 2005. Learning without awareness STUD SECOND LANG ACQ, v. 27
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263105050138
    •

    2003

  • Williams, JN. and Lovatt, P., 2003. Phonological memory and rule learning LANG LEARN, v. 53
    •

    2002

  • Bird, SA. and Williams, JN., 2002. The effect of bimodal input on implicit and explicit memory: An investigation into the benefits of within-language subtitling APPL PSYCHOLINGUIST, v. 23
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1017/S0142716402004022
    •

    2001

  • Williams, JN., Mobius, P. and Kim, C., 2001. Native and non-native processing of English wh- questions: Parsing strategies and plausibility constraints APPL PSYCHOLINGUIST, v. 22
    •
  • Lee, M-W. and Williams, JN., 2001. Lexical access in spoken word production by bilinguals: evidence from the semantic competitor priming paradigm Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, v. 4
    Doi: 10.1017/s1366728901000426
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    1999

  • Williams, JN., 1999. Memory, Attention, and Inductive Learning Studies in Second Language Acquisition, v. 21
    Doi: 10.1017/s0272263199001011
    •

    1997

  • Lee, MW. and Williams, JN., 1997. Why is short-term sentence recall verbatim? An evaluation of the role of lexical priming MEM COGNITION, v. 25
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    1996

  • Williams, JN., 1996. Is automatic priming semantic? EUR J COGN PSYCHOL, v. 8
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    1995

  • WILLIAMS, JN. and COLOMBO, L., 1995. CONSTRAINTS ON THE RANGE OF CONTEXT-INDEPENDENT PRIMING FROM AMBIGUOUS WORDS PSYCHOL RES-PSYCH FO, v. 58
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    1994

  • WILLIAMS, JN., 1994. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORD MEANINGS IN THE 1ST AND 2ND-LANGUAGE - EVIDENCE FOR A COMMON, BUT RESTRICTED, SEMANTIC CODE EUR J COGN PSYCHOL, v. 6
    •

    1993

  • WILLIAMS, JN., 1993. PROCESSING OF ANAPHORIC NOUNS IN EXTENDED TEXTS - THE ROLE OF SURFACE INFORMATION LANG SPEECH, v. 36
    •

    1992

  • WILLIAMS, JN., 1992. PROCESSING POLYSEMOUS WORDS IN CONTEXT - EVIDENCE FOR INTERRELATED MEANINGS J PSYCHOLINGUIST RES, v. 21
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    1987

  • CUTLER, A., NORRIS, D. and WILLIAMS, JN., 1987. A NOTE ON THE ROLE OF PHONOLOGICAL EXPECTATIONS IN SPEECH SEGMENTATION J MEM LANG, v. 26
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  • CUTLER, A., BUTTERFIELD, S. and WILLIAMS, JN., 1987. THE PERCEPTUAL INTEGRITY OF SYLLABIC ONSETS J MEM LANG, v. 26
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    Theses / dissertations

    2023 (No publication date)

  • Heine, J., 2023 (No publication date). Out of Action? – Re-evaluating Methodological Challenges in Embodied Semantics Research
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.100557
    •

    2020 (No publication date)

  • Bovolenta, G., 2020 (No publication date). Developing Production Skills through Implicit Learning
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.57143
    •
    Book chapters

    2022

  • Hodzik, E. and Williams, JN., 2022. Working memory and cognitive processing in conference interpreting
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.4324/9780429297878-33
    •

    2016

  • Williams, J. and Paciorek, A., 2016. Indirect tests of implicit linguistic knowledge

    • 2015

  • Paciorek, A. and Williams, JN., 2015. Semantic implicit learning
    Doi: 10.1075/sibil.48.04pac
    •
  • Williams, J., 2015. The bilingual lexicon
  • Williams, J., 2015. Working memory in SLA research: Challenges and prospects

    • 2013

  • Marsden, E., Williams, J. and Liu, X., 2013. Learning novel morphology: The role of meaning and orientation of attention at initial exposure
  • Williams, J., 2013. Attention, awareness, and noticing in language processing and learning

    • 2012

  • Rebuschat, P. and Williams, J., 2012. Introduction: Statistical learning and language acquisition
  • Williams, J. and Gullberg, M., 2012. Cognitive Second Language Acquisition: Overview
  • Williams, J., 2012. Alignment in language and music

    • 2011

  • Williams, JN. and Rebuschat, P., 2011. Statistical learning and syntax: What can be learned, and what difference does meaning make?
  • Williams, JN., 2011. Working memory and SLA.
  • Williams, JN. and Cheung, A., 2011. Using priming to explore early word learning.

    • 2009

  • Williams, JN., 2009. IMPLICIT LEARNING IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
  • Williams, J., 2009. Psycholinguistics
  • Williams, J., 2009. Implicit learning in second language acquisition
  • Williams, JN., 2009. Implicit learning.

    • 2005

  • Williams, J., 2005. Associationism and Connectionism

    • 2004

  • Williams, J., 2004. Implicit learning of form-meaning connections

    • 2003

  • Williams, J., 2003. Induction of noun classes by adult learners and connections models
  • Williams, JN., 2003. 7. Inducing abstract linguistic representations
    Doi: 10.1075/lald.30.08wil
    •

    2001

  • Williams, J., 2001. Psycholinguistics
    • Books

    2012

  • 2012. Statistical Learning and Language Acquisition
    • Conference proceedings

    2006

  • Leung, J. and Williams, J., 2006. Implicit learning of form-meaning connections Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society,
    •
  • Rebuschat, P. and Williams, J., 2006. Dissociating implicit and explicit learning of natural language syntax Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society,
    •
    Reader in Applied Psycholinguistics
    Departments and institutes: 
    Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics
    Dr John Williams

    Contact Details

    Email address: 
    jnw12@cam.ac.uk
    (+44) (0)1223 767386

    Affiliations

    Classifications: 
    Academic Staff

    Study at Cambridge

    About the University

    Research at Cambridge