Formulaic Sequences: Are They Processed More Quickly than Nonformulaic Language by Native and Nonnative Speakers?

Abstract

It is generally accepted that formulaic sequences like take the bull by the horns serve an important function in discourse and are widespread in language. It is also generally believed that these sequences are processed more efficiently because single memorized units, even though they are composed of a sequence of individual words, can be processed more quickly and easily than the same sequences of words which are generated creatively (Pawley and Syder 1983). We investigated the hypothesized processing advantage for formulaic sequences by comparing reading times for formulaic sequences versus matched nonformulaic phrases for native and nonnative speakers. It was found that the formulaic sequences were read more quickly than the nonformulaic phrases by both groups of participants. This result supports the assertion that formulaic sequences have a processing advantage over creatively generated language. Interestingly, this processing advantage was in place regardless of whether the formulaic sequences were used idiomatically or literally (e.g. take the bull by the horns ¼ 'attack a problem' vs. 'wrestle an animal'). The fact that the results also held for nonnatives indicates that it is possible for learners to enjoy the same type of processing advantage as natives.

The Effect of Familiarity with the Response Category Labels on Item Response to Likert Scales

“…That is, there is a positive association between frequency of occurrence in language (speech and/or text), familiarity and processing ease. While this link had been previously established for individual words (Gernsbacher 1984;Oppenheimer 2006), it seems to apply to word combinations as well, with collocations generally being high in frequency of use, familiarity, and ease of processing (Conklin and Schmitt 2008;Durrant 2008).…”

“…are not only used more frequently, but are also processed more quickly by language users (Conklin and Schmitt 2008). That is, there is a positive association between frequency of occurrence in language (speech and/or text), familiarity and processing ease.…”

Speech fluency in phrases: teaching English oral fluency in distance learning

“…Third, formulaic language has processing advantages. There is now ample evidence to show that formulaic sequences are processed faster and more accurately than creatively generated language (Conklin and Schmitt, 2008). Fourth, formulaic language can improve the overall impression of L2 learners' language production.…”

Difficulties Encountered by Arabic-Speaking Undergraduate and Graduate English Language Students in Interpreting English Formulaic Expressions

“…Pawley and Syder (1983) claim that formulaic sequences, even though they consist of a sequence of individual words, can be processed more easily and quickly than single memorized units. By comparing the reading times for formulaic forms and non-formulaic ones for both native and nonnative speakers, Conklin and Schmitt (2006) found that the former forms were read more quickly by both groups of participants.…”