Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.22210/suvlin.2018.085.02
Role of imageability in lexical–semantic hypernymy/hyponymy processing
Vlasta Erdeljac
Martina Sekulić Sović
Abstract
The present study reviews the role of imageability in the lexical–semantic processing of
the hypernym/ hyponym relation. Two research questions are discussed. The first question
examines if an average level of hyponym imageability is higher than an average level of
hypernym imageability. The second question explores if word pairs connected by a semantic
relation between hyponym and hypernym differ in mental processing speed depending on the
level of word imageability of words that make a pair. These two research questions lead to an
additional question: Is the speed of lexical–semantic processing of word pairs in which both
words are highly imageable higher than in word pairs of mixed or low word imageability level?
The obtained results are interpreted in line with the dual coding theory and the theory of
lexical access, along with the parallel activation model in the componential analysis of meaning.
Keywords
imageability; lexical–semantic processing; hypernymy; hyponymy; psycholinguistics
Hrčak ID:
203940
URI
Publication date:
23.7.2018.
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