Linguistics and English Language

Bilingualism research group

Speaker: Sydelle de Souza (University of Edinburgh)

Title: Processing Collocations in the L2: Semantic Transparency & Congruency

Abstract: Mastering collocations is one of the most challenging aspects of vocabulary acquisition, especially for adult learners of a second language (L2). Research shows that frequency (exposure to L2 input), congruency (availability of a word-for-word translation in the L1), and semantic transparency (degree to which meaning can be inferred from the constituent words) are important factors that affect L2 collocational processing. Frequency is known to interact with both congruency and semantic transparency. However, congruency and semantic transparency have not been explored simultaneously. A recent study by Yamashita (2018) found that incongruent collocations (available on in the L2) also tend to be more semantically opaque than congruent collocations (available in the L1 and L2). Therefore, this study aims to investigate L2 collocational processing in proficient L2 English speakers (L1 Portuguese) by extending Gyllstad and Wolter (2016) to explore the role of semantic transparency in conjunction with congruency. Specifically, it investigates whether free combinations (completely transparent items, e.g., drink water, ‘beber águaº), congruent collocations (kill time, ‘matar tempo’), and incongruent collocations (e.g., kick habits; not available in Portuguese) differ in terms of processing by incorporating congruency into Howarth’s Continuum Model (Howarth, 1998). A semantic acceptability judgement task was completed by 329 adults (122 Brazilian Portuguese, 108 European Portuguese, and 99 L1 English speakers). The reaction times and error rates were analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed-effects Models.

The results showed that the L2 speakers processed free combinations faster and more accurately than congruent and incongruent collocations, and congruent collocations faster and more accurately than incongruent collocations. The L1 English group showed no significant processing advantages for free combinations versus congruent collocations, nor for congruent collocations versus incongruent ones. However, there was a significant processing advantage, only in terms of speed, for free combinations versus incongruent collocations. These results seem to support Yamashita’s findings that incongruent collocations may be inherently more opaque than congruent collocations. Additionally, the results lend support to Gyllstad and Wolter’s (2016) findings that there may be psychological validity to the descriptive continuum as postulated by Howarth (1998). Future research should consider testing incongruent free combinations along with incongruent collocations to properly isolate these effects.

With respect to congruency, this study lends support to the growing body of evidence that L2 speakers incur processing costs for incongruent collocations. This highlights the critical role of the L1 in L2 collocational processing. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for incongruent collocations to be explicitly taught in the L2 classroom.

Contact

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Dec 06 2021 -

Bilingualism research group

2021-12-06: Processing Collocations in the L2: Semantic Transparency & Congruency

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