• Figurativeness Matters in the...

*Result*: Figurativeness Matters in the Second Language Processing of Collocations: Evidence from a Self-Paced Reading Experiment

Title:
Figurativeness Matters in the Second Language Processing of Collocations: Evidence from a Self-Paced Reading Experiment
Language:
English
Authors:
Shi, Jinfang (ORCID 0000-0002-2104-1093), Peng, Gang (ORCID 0000-0002-1465-1301), Li, Dechao (ORCID 0000-0001-6312-6581)
Source:
Language Learning. Mar 2023 73(1):47-83.
Availability:
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed:
Y
Page Count:
37
Publication Date:
2023
Document Type:
*Academic Journal* Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Education Level:
Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors:
Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Learning Processes, Cognitive Processes, Phrase Structure, English, Native Speakers, Chinese, English (Second Language), Comparative Analysis, Figurative Language, Language Proficiency, Bilingualism, Reading Processes, Graduate Students, Doctoral Students, Undergraduate Students, Familiarity
DOI:
10.1111/lang.12516
ISSN:
0023-8333
1467-9922
Notes:
https://osf.io/946vt
Entry Date:
2023
Accession Number:
EJ1364453
Database:
ERIC

*Further Information*

*This study reports on a self-paced reading experiment exploring whether the figurativeness of collocations affects L2 processing of collocations. The participants were 40 English native speakers and 44 Chinese-speaking English foreign language learners (including doctoral, postgraduate, and undergraduate students). To ensure that the effect emerged from the figurativeness of collocations rather than other item-related confounds, this study added a literal-literal comparison (e.g., choose a career vs. choose a house) as a control to the experimental figurative-literal comparison (e.g., build a career vs. build a house). Results showed that L2 speakers processed figurative collocations more slowly than literal collocation controls but native speakers did not. Importantly, this processing cost for figurative collocations in L2 speakers varied by L2 proficiency but not phrase familiarity. We discuss the results in terms of the dual-route model of formulaic and novel language processing and also incorporate them into the literal salience model of bilingual figurative processing.*

*As Provided*