Interpreting metaphors and idioms: Some effects of context on comprehension

摘要: Two experiments are described in which reaction times for understanding target sentences or phrases terms of a preceding context were measured. In Experiment 1, the followed either short long contexts induced literal interpretations metaphorical ones. Results indicated that only condition did subjects take significantly longer to understand than targets. This interaction is explained availability appropriate schemata interpreting target. 2, targets could be given an idiomatic interpretation. It was found comprehension receiving interpretation took no those same when interpretation, and there some evidence consistently faster. argued both can accounted contextually generated expectations. The processes required figurative uses language seem essentially similar.