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Cross-language Influences in Bilingual Processing and Second Language Acquisition
Edited by Irina Elgort, Anna Siyanova-Chanturia and Marc Brysbaert
[Bilingual Processing and Acquisition 16] 2023
► pp. 187–210

Chapter 8
Cross-language influences in the processing of L2 multi-word expressions

| Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington | Henan University of Technology
| Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington | Ocean University of China
| Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington

The present chapter provides a state-of-the-art review of research into cross-language influences in the processing of multi-word expressions (MWEs) in a second language (L2). Two lines of research are considered: first, how L2 speakers process congruent MWEs versus L2-only MWEs; second, how L2 speakers process L1-only MWEs translated into the L2 compared with control phrases. Studies have shown that congruent MWEs generally have a processing advantage over L2-only MWEs in L2 speakers. In contrast, evidence is mixed with regard to whether or not translated L1-only MWEs exhibit a processing advantage over matched controls in L2 speakers, with facilitation so far observed for idioms, but not for other types of MWEs. We consider possible reasons for these mixed findings.

Keywords: Crosslinguistic influence, multi-word expressions (MWEs), activation (L1 activation), congruency effect, MWE processing, binomials, idioms, collocations
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Processing of congruent and L2-only MWEs
  • 3.Processing of translated L1-only MWEs
    • 3.1Research on idioms
    • 3.2Research on collocations and binomials
    • 3.3Reconciling research on idioms versus collocations and binomials
  • 4.Mechanisms underpinning the congruency effect in L2 MWE processing
    • 4.1L1 MWE activation account
    • 4.2L2 MWE experience account
  • 5.Conclusions
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 1 May 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/bpa.16.08du
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