Further Evidence of the Comparative Memorability of Alliterative Expressions in Second Language Learning. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boers, Frank; Lindstromberg, Seth; Webb, Stuart
• Is Part Of: RELC journal. Volume 45:Number 1(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Lexical phrases -- collocations -- idioms -- alliteration -- incidental learning -- repetition -- memory; English language -- Study and teaching -- Southeast Asia -- Periodicals; English language -- Research -- Southeast Asia -- Periodicals; 406
• DOI: 10.1177/0033688214522714
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-6882

Abstract

Previous research has furnished evidence that alliterative expressions (e.g. a slippery slope ) are comparatively memorable for second language learners, at least when these expressions are attended to as decontextualized items (Lindstromberg and Boers, 2008a; Boers et al., 2012). The present study investigates whether alliteration renders lexical phrases comparatively memorable also when these phrases are encountered in texts read primarily with a focus on content. Fifty-four EFL students read a text adapted so as to include five instances of 12 idiomatic expressions. The results of surprise post-tests suggest that the alliterative phrases among these target expressions left significantly stronger memory traces than the non-alliterative ones, especially regarding the form or composition of the phrases.