The processing advantage of multiword sequences: A meta-analysis

Abstract

This meta-analysis synthesized 35 English studies (130 effect sizes, N = 1,981) that employed online tasks to investigate the processing of multiword sequences (MWSs). We examined (a) to what extent MWSs enjoy a processing advantage over novel word combinations; (b) how such a processing advantage is moderated by statistical regularities (i.e., phrasal frequency, association strength), MWS type, and explicitness of experimental tasks; and (c) whether such moderating patterns differ between L1 speakers and L2 speakers. The results confirmed the processing advantage for most subtypes of MWSs, with effect sizes ranging from small to medium. For L1 speakers and L2 speakers, the processing advantage of MWSs was found across the continuum of phrasal frequency and association strength and varied. Interestingly, task explicitness moderated the processing advantage of MWSs but only for L2 speakers. Taken together, our results shed light on the understanding of MWSs as well as directions for future research.

The multiword processing by low‐proficiency Japanese English learners: Meaningfulness and constructions

“…Note that effect size calculations in linear mixedeffects modeling, especially for continuous data, lack standardization (Brysbaert & Debeer, 2023). Additionally, the effect sizes for RTs tend to be smaller due to larger standard deviations relative to means, which complicates interpretation (Yi & Zhong, 2023). Thus, effect sizes are provided purely as a reference for future research.…”

“…However, the current study focused on verb phrases within various verb constructions—a variable not explored in their study—to investigate the learners’ processing tendency depending on construction types. Moreover, unlike their study, the created items avoided idioms (see Yi & Zhong, 2023, for a recent meta‐analysis) and complex vocabulary (e.g., certificate , primary ) that could be challenging for low‐proficiency L2 learners.…”

“…Extensive research in psycholinguistics has explored lexical processing in both first (L1) and L2 contexts (see Jiang, 2018, for a comprehensive review). Recent decades have seen a growing focus on the role of multiword units in language learning (Arnon & Snider, 2010;Jiang & Siyanova-Chanturia, 2023;Jolsvai et al, 2020), with studies showing that such units' frequency affects processing efficiency in both L1 and L2 users (Arnon & Snider, 2010;Supasiraprapa, 2019;Yi & Zhong, 2023). A recent finding by Jolsvai et al (2020) suggests that the semantic information of whole multiword units significantly influences efficient processing in an L1 context, yet this is less studied in L2.…”