The Effect of Working Memory Capacity on the Figurative Language Processing of Chinese Second Language Learners

This study used a 3 (working memory capacity (WMC): high, medium, low) × 3 (sentence type: metaphor, simile, metonymy) mixed design to investigate the impact of WMC on the comprehension of Figurative sentences by Chinese L2 (Second language) learners, as well as the cognitive representation and differences in processing metaphor, simile, and metonymy. The results of the study revealed the following: 1) Chinese L2 learners exhibited faster reaction time (RT) for metaphor sentences compared to simile and metonymy, and faster RT for simile compared to metonymy. The comprehension accuracy (ACC) for metaphor sentences was higher than that for simile and metonymy, and the comprehension ACC for simile was higher than that for metonymy. 2) The RT and ACC of metaphor, simile, and metonymy sentences were influenced by individual WMC, with higher WMC associated with faster processing speed and higher ACC. This study revealed that metaphor, simile, and metonymy processing require different cognitive resources. The comprehension of these sentences involves the comparison, interaction, and matching of semantic features between the source and target domains, which necessitates WMC for storage and integration, ultimately completing the cognitive mapping process.