Investigating Perceptual Span Across Writing Systems

In the process of text reading, individuals extract visual and linguistic information from words located beyond the point of direct fixation. The spatial limit of visual processing in reading, referred to as the perceptual span, constitutes a fundamental construct in reading and eye-movement studies. Perceptual span is commonly investigated through the gaze-contingent moving window paradigm. In this paradigm, a segment of text is displayed around the reader’s gaze position, which dynamically shifts in accordance with eye movements. Thus, the text visible at any given moment is contingent upon where the reader is looking. By experimentally manipulating the size of this window, researchers can determine the minimal amount of information necessary to sustain typical reading performance. This presentation will review empirical findings on the perceptual span across diverse writing systems and populations, underscoring that the span is modulated by factors such as visual complexity, script orientation, and individual reading proficiency. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the linguistic environment exerts a significant influence on the mechanisms of reading.