The processing of multiword expressions in L1 and L2 Chinese

Evidence from reaction times and eye movements

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21360119
AutoresShang Jiang (0000-0003-3344-572X, College of Foreign Languages Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China, autor correspondente), Anna Siyanova‐chanturia (0000-0002-8336-8569, Victoria University of Wellington), Anna Siyanova–Chanturia (College of Foreign Languages Ocean University of China Qingdao China)
Ano2023
Volume107
Fascículo2
Páginas565-605
Data de publicação2023-06-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoModern Language Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0026-7902 • E-ISSN: 1540-4781
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/modl.12846
OpenAlexW4379882133
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas81

Frequency and proficiency have been found to play an important role in second language (L2) phrasal processing. However, existing research has largely focused on English and other European languages, with other commonly used languages, such as Chinese, being largely disregarded. To fill this gap, we carried out two experiments to investigate how frequency—operationalized as a dichotomy (collocation vs. control) and a continuum (log‐transformed corpus frequency)—and language proficiency affect phrasal processing in first language (L1) and L2 speakers of Chinese. The results of a grammaticality judgment task (Experiment 1) and an eye‐tracking experiment (Experiment 2) largely converged to show that not only L1 speakers but also L2 learners are sensitive to phrase frequency manipulations, with collocations and higher frequency phrases being processed faster than controls and lower frequency phrases, respectively. Additionally, the analysis of eye movements—but not reaction times—showed a relationship between proficiency and phrase frequency. Finally, the use of the eye‐tracking methodology allowed us to tap into the mechanisms associated with earlier and later stages of phrasal processing, and to analyze multiple interest areas

Collocation (remote sensing) · Eye movement · Eye tracking · Grammar · Grammaticality · Linguistics · Natural language processing · Operationalization · Phrase · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development · Second Language Acquisition and Learning