A1 Journal article (refereed)
The role of executive control ability in second language metaphor comprehension : Evidence from ERPs and sLORETA (2024)
Zhu, J., Chen, H., Cong, F., & Ma, J. (2024). The role of executive control ability in second language metaphor comprehension : Evidence from ERPs and sLORETA. Journal of Neurolinguistics, 72, Article 101211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroling.2024.101211
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Zhu, Jiaqi; Chen, Hongjun; Cong, Fengyu; Ma, Jianjun
Journal or series: Journal of Neurolinguistics
ISSN: 0911-6044
eISSN: 1873-8052
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 20/05/2024
Volume: 72
Article number: 101211
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroling.2024.101211
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Web address of parallel published publication (pre-print): http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4687797
Abstract
Previous research suggests that executive control ability may contribute to second language (L2) metaphor comprehension, and this relationship may be modulated by metaphor familiarity. However, so far most studies have been done with behavioral experiments. Using the event-related potential (ERP) and standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography analysis (sLORETA), this study adopted the semantic priming paradigm to examine the role of executive control ability in L2 metaphor comprehension with different degrees of familiarity. The Stroop task was used to measure executive control ability and differentiate the two groups of participants who were presented with three types of word-pair expressions: familiar metaphoric expressions, unfamiliar metaphoric expressions and literal expressions. They were then asked to perform a semantic judgment task. Results revealed more negative amplitudes of N400 and P600 components in participants of low executive control compared with those of high executive control. Metaphor familiarity modulated N400 of both groups of high and low executive control, whereas it only affected P600 of participants of low executive control. sLORETA analysis of both N400 and P600 revealed stronger activation for the low versus high executive control group in the right superior frontal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus during low familiar metaphor comprehension. These results suggest that executive control plays a role in L2 metaphor comprehension, while it is modulated by metaphor familiarity.
Keywords: metaphors; second language; language learning; executive functions (psychology); brain research; computed tomography; cognitive neuroscience
Free keywords: executive control; metaphor; ERP; sLORETA
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 2