[Dataset abstract] Data set containing the general responses, general availability indexes and the typicality indexes for the lexical availability tests of intermediate, and advanced Greek learners of Spanish and of Spanish native counterparts.

[Article abstract] Categorization and identification of typical exemplars within semantic categories is a universal skill of human cognition which is involved in language development. However, cultural and experiential aspects might influence typicality effects. This paper examines the role of native language and culture on that categorization process and on typicality effects. Towards that objective, we had Spanish native speakers and Spanish FL learners whose mother tongue is Greek complete a category generation word association task. Data were analyzed within a network and graph theory framework as the best fitting for this type of data, bearing in mind previous descriptions of semantic memory. Results showed how, indeed, native speakers and learners of varying proficiency levels differ in their availability and production of typical exemplars, especially in slot-filler categories versus taxonomic categories. Lexical access during category generation might be determined by native language and culture. Additionally, natives’ mental lexicon seems to feature denser connections responsible for more efficient access.

Dispogen, 1.2 for Windows

Dispografo, 1 for Windows

SPSS, 26.0

Gephi, 0.9.5 for Windows