The Metaphorical Processing of Novel Classifier-Noun Collocations: Evidence from Event-Related Potentials

We employed event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate the metaphorical processing mechanism of novel classifier-noun collocations and the moderating role of individual print exposure. Using a within-subjects design, 34 native Chinese speakers (25 females; mean age 23.27 years, SD = 1.80) read three types of classifier-noun collocations embedded in sentences: literal collocations (e.g., yidao dianguang, "a bolt of lightning"), novel collocations (e.g., yishan dianguang, "a flash of lightning"), and anomalous collocations (e.g., yibao dianguang, "a bag of lightning"). Ninety experimental sentences were presented using rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP), with each word displayed for 400 ms followed by a 400 ms blank screen. EEG was recorded from 32 scalp electrodes. After the ERP session, participants completed the Author Recognition Test to assess their print exposure.

本研究采用事件相关电位（event-related potentials, ERPs）技术，探究新异量词-名词搭配的隐喻加工机制，以及个体印刷品接触量的调节作用。实验采用被试内设计，招募34名汉语母语者参与（其中女性25名，平均年龄23.27岁，标准差SD=1.80）。被试阅读嵌入三种类型量词-名词搭配的句子：常规搭配（如"一道电光"，对应英文"a bolt of lightning"）、新异搭配（如"一山电光"，对应英文"a flash of lightning"）与异常搭配（如"一包电光"，对应英文"a bag of lightning"）。本实验通过快速序列视觉呈现（rapid serial visual presentation, RSVP）范式呈现90个实验句子，每个词汇的呈现时长为400ms，其后跟随400ms的空白屏幕。采用32个头皮电极记录脑电图（EEG）数据。在ERP实验环节结束后，被试完成作者再认测验（Author Recognition Test），以评估其印刷品接触量。