The use and nature of grapheme coding during sub-lexical processing and lexical access

Abstract

This work aimed to investigate grapheme coding during sub-lexical processing and lexical access. Using the letter detection task in Experiment 1, we compared letter pairs that could be considered as a grapheme unit or not depending on context (referred to as weakly cohesive complex, e.g., an in chant vs cane) to real two-letter graphemes (highly cohesive complex, e.g., au in chaud) and single-letter graphemes (simple, e.g., a in place). Three experimental conditions were used, one of which was designed to prevent phonological influences. Data revealed that only highly cohesive complex graphemes were processed as units, not the weakly cohesive ones. The same pattern was found across experimental conditions in favor of an orthographic mechanism. In Experiments 2 and 3, a primed lexical decision task was used with two stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) and two different ranges of lexical frequency. We manipulated the number of graphemes removed from partial primes ( d**che vs do**he-DOUCHE) and relatedness. In contrast to Experiment 1, no evidence was provided in favor of a role of graphemes during lexical access. We suggest that graphemes can be conceived as sub-lexical orthographic units per se but can only be captured within a sub-lexical route to reading.

A mesial-to-lateral dissociation for orthographic processing in the visual cortex

“…Error rates, although less significant, followed exactly the same pattern. This behavioral finding supports our first prediction and is the cornerstone of the whole imaging study as it demonstrates the relevance of multiletter graphemes as perceptual units (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)21). It also supports the prominent role of graphemes during phonological reading, in agreement with evidence that the effect of grapheme complexity is larger on pseudowords than words (6), on words of low rather than high frequency (5), and during letter detection rather than lexical decision (21).…”

“…hypothesis, the perceptual disruption of multiletter graphemes should have a stronger impact on performance and activations during tasks that emphasize phonological processing rather than lexico-semantic processing. Accordingly, the presence or the manipulation of multiletter graphemes has a larger impact on pseudowords than words (6), on words of low rather than high frequency (5), and in letter detection vs. lexical decision tasks (21). Furthermore, 2 patients with a selective impairment of pseudoword reading also showed a disproportionate deficit with pseudowords containting complex graphemes (22).…”

Morpheme position coding in reading development as explored with a letter search task

“…Later letter search studies with single word presentation found similar effects also on the level of syllables and graphemes. Rey, Ziegler, and Jacobs (2000) report that a letter is harder to detect in a multi-letter grapheme (e.g., A in beach) as compared to a single-letter grapheme (e.g., A in place) (see also Commissaire & Casalis, 2018). Similarly, Brand, Giroux, Puijalon, and Rey (2007) report that letters are harder to detect in multi-letter syllable onsets (e.g., L in tablier) than single-letter syllable onsets (e.g.…”

Morpheme Position Coding in Reading Development as Explored With a Letter Search Task

“…Later letter search studies with single word presentation found similar effects also on the level of syllables and graphemes. Rey, Ziegler, and Jacobs ( 2000 ) report that a letter is harder to detect in a multi-letter grapheme (e.g., A in beach ) as compared to a single-letter grapheme (e.g., A in place ) (see also Commissaire & Casalis, 2018 ). Similarly, Brand, Giroux, Puijalon, and Rey ( 2007 ) report that letters are harder to detect in multi-letter syllable onsets (e.g., L in tablier ) than single-letter syllable onsets (e.g.…”