Processing conventional and non-conventional multiword units: evidence of similarity-based generalisation from judgements and brain potentials

Language is constantly evolving through speakers’ natural innovations. However, our understanding of how subtle linguistic innovations are processed is still surprisingly limited. To date, most studies investigating processing of non-conventional language have focused on metaphors. Using both brain event-related potentials (ERPs) and offline judgements, the present study investigated the acceptability, as well as the temporal dynamics, associated with processing novel and conventional multiword units. By manipulating both the degree of similarity and degree of conventionality, the results revealed that the acceptability of novel items hinges on their similarity to known multiword units. ERPs revealed that similarity modulated a late positive component LPC) 550-750 ms after stimulus presentation; this LPC was significantly correlated with acceptability. Additionally, processing of novel multiword units was not modulated by exposure to related multiword units, indicating that similarity-based processing was not dependent on recent prior exposure.

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Work Title Processing conventional and non-conventional multiword units: evidence of similarity-based generalisation from judgements and brain potentials
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Manuel F. Pulido
Keyword
  1. Processing
  2. Multiword units
  3. Collocations
  4. ERPs
  5. Novel
  6. Analogy
  7. Similarity
  8. Generalisation/generalization
License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience
Publication Date 2023
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1080/23273798.2022.2157028
Deposited May 30, 2023

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  • Added Creator Manuel F. Pulido
  • Added Pulido_Preprint_LCN_Accepted_Manuscript_Native_Generalization_EEG.pdf
  • Updated License Show Changes
    License
    • https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
  • Published
  • Updated Work Title, Keyword, Publisher, and 1 more Show Changes
    Work Title
    • Processing conventional and nonconventional multiword units: Evidence of similarity-based generalization from judgements and brain potentials
    • Processing conventional and non-conventional multiword units: evidence of similarity-based generalisation from judgements and brain potentials
    Keyword
    • processing; multiword units; collocations; ERPs; novel; analogy; similarity; generalisation / generalization
    • Processing, Multiword units, Collocations, ERPs, Novel, Analogy, Similarity, Generalisation/generalization
    Publisher
    • Language, Cognition and Neuroscience
    Publisher Identifier (DOI)
    • https://doi.org/10.1080/23273798.2022.2157028
  • Updated Publication Date Show Changes
    Publication Date
    • 2022-12-21
    • 2023
  • Updated