The processing advantage for multiword expressions over novel language has long been attested in the literature. However, the evidence pertains almost exclusively to multiword expression processing in adults. Whether or not other populations are sensitive to phrase frequency effects is largely unknown. Here, we sought to address this gap by recording the eye movements of third and fourth graders, as well as adults (first-language Mandarin) as they read phrases varying in frequency embedded in sentence context. We were interested in how phrase frequency, operationalized as phrase type (collocation vs. control) or (continuous) phrase frequency, and age might influence participants’ reading. Adults read collocations and higher frequency phrases consistently faster than control and lower frequency phrases, respectively. Critically, fourth, but not third, graders read collocations and higher frequency phrases faster than control and lower frequency sequences, respectively, although this effect was largely confined to a late measure. Our results reaffirm phrase frequency effects in adults and point to emerging phrase frequency effects in primary school children. The use of eye tracking has further allowed us to tap into early versus late stages of phrasal processing, to explore different areas of interest, and to probe possible differences between phrase frequency conceptualized as a dichotomy versus a continuum.

中文翻译：

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儿童和成人多词表达的加工：汉语眼动研究

多词表达相对于新语言的处理优势早已在文献中得到证实。然而，证据几乎完全与成人的多词表达处理有关。其他人群是否对短语频率效应敏感在很大程度上是未知的。在这里，我们试图通过记录三年级和四年级学生以及成年人（第一语言普通话）在阅读句子上下文中频率不同的短语时的眼球运动来解决这一差距。我们感兴趣的是短语频率，可操作为短语类型（搭配与控制）或（连续）短语频率，以及年龄如何影响参与者的阅读。成年人分别比对照和低频短语更快地阅读搭配和高频短语。至关重要的是，第四，但不是第三，年级学生分别比对照和低频序列更快地阅读搭配和高频短语，尽管这种效果主要局限于后期测量。我们的结果重申了成人的短语频率效应，并指出了小学生中出现的短语频率效应。眼动追踪的使用进一步使我们能够进入短语处理的早期和晚期阶段，探索不同的兴趣领域，并探索概念化为二分法与连续体的短语频率之间可能存在的差异。我们的结果重申了成人的短语频率效应，并指出了小学生中出现的短语频率效应。眼动追踪的使用进一步使我们能够进入短语处理的早期和晚期阶段，探索不同的兴趣领域，并探索概念化为二分法与连续体的短语频率之间可能存在的差异。我们的结果重申了成人的短语频率效应，并指出了小学生中出现的短语频率效应。眼动追踪的使用进一步使我们能够进入短语处理的早期和晚期阶段，探索不同的兴趣领域，并探索概念化为二分法与连续体的短语频率之间可能存在的差异。