The past decades have seen an explosion of research using electrophysiological or neuroimaging techniques for studying the neurocognitive underpinnings of second language (L2) processing. Although this field has a shorter history than does research on language learning more generally, important insights into the neurocognitive basis of L2 processing have driven it to the center stage of language science. In this target article for Language Learning’s 75th Jubilee volume, I illustrate the field's impressive achievements by selectively reviewing electrophysiological and neuroimaging research on L2 processing and bilingual brain organization. I also review changing perspectives in the field (including individual difference and experience-based perspectives, neural network approaches, neuroplasticity, and L2-learning related neural changes) and identified challenges, promises, and future directions (revisit native-speaker benchmark, increase linguistic diversity, enhance ecological validity, intensify research on child L2 learners’ brain, adopt lifelong approach to L2 learning) that can lead to a better understanding of the neural underpinnings of L2 learning and processing.

中文翻译：

---

第二语言处理的神经认知基础：从过去和未来展望中获得的知识

在过去的几十年里，使用电生理学或神经影像技术来研究第二语言 (L2) 处理的神经认知基础的研究激增。尽管这一领域的历史比一般语言学习研究的历史要短，但对二语处理的神经认知基础的重要见解已将其推向语言科学的中心舞台。在这篇语言学习目标文章中在本书的第 75 周年纪念卷中，我通过选择性回顾关于 L2 处理和双语大脑组织的电生理学和神经影像学研究来说明该领域取得的令人印象深刻的成就。我还回顾了该领域不断变化的观点（包括个体差异和基于经验的观点、神经网络方法、神经可塑性和第二语言学习相关的神经变化），并确定了挑战、承诺和未来方向（重新审视母语者基准、增加语言多样性、增强生态有效性、加强对儿童第二语言学习者大脑的研究、采用终身第二语言学习方法），这些可以帮助更好地理解第二语言学习和处理的神经基础。