Keywords
eye-tracking
processing
How to Cite
Abstract
Formulaic language, such as phrasal verbs, can be defined as a prefabricated sequence of words. Phrasal verbs comprised a particle and a verb which present literal and figurative meanings. In the present study we investigated the online processing of figurative phrasal verbs (e.g. figure out) and lexical verbs (e.g. understand) by means of the eye-tracking. Eye movements of 12 advanced speakers of English as L2 (native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese) were compared to that of 12 native speakers of English during the reading of sentences containing figurative phrasal verbs and lexical verbs in English. The results show that on late measures (Total Reading Time), the speakers of English as L2 engendered more cognitive processing during the reading of figurative phrasal verbs than lexical verbs, compared to native speakers of English. These results were interpreted as evidence that the speakers of English as L2 tried to analyze each component of the figurative multiword item (e.g. look for) and this slowed down their processing. The results are discussed in the light of theories on the processing of figurative and literal language.
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