Shenglin Xiong

School of English Studies Xi’an International Studies University

Abstract：

The Routledge Handbook of Second Language Acquisition and Neurolinguistics, edited by Kara Morgan-Short and Janet G. van Hell (2023), represents a seminal contribution to the interdisciplinary field of second language acquisition (SLA) and cognitive neuroscience. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the handbook’s structure, content, and scholarly significance. Comprising 34 chapters organized into seven thematic sections, the volume synthesizes cutting-edge research on the neural underpinnings of L2 learning, processing, and use. It covers a wide range of topics, including neuroscientific methods, theoretical models, individual differences, cross-linguistic influence, and emerging trends such as the foreign language effect and sign language acquisition. The handbook is praised for its breadth, interdisciplinary approach, and logical organization. Overall, this handbook is an indispensable resource for graduate students and researchers in SLA, psycholinguistics, and cognitive neuroscience, and holds broader implications for the development of artificial intelligence and language technology.

Key Words：

second language acquisition; neurolinguistics; cognitive neuroscience; bilingualism; language processing; “Routledge Handbook”