More than words: multiword frequency effects in non-native speakers

Native speakers are sensitive to the frequencies of multiword phrases: they are faster to process higher frequency phrases, after controlling for all part frequencies (e.g. high: Don't have to worry vs. low: Don't have to wait). Here, we ask whether intermediate-advanced late (English) learners are also sensitive to the distributional properties of large language units: four-word combinations. Using a phrasal-decision task, we show that learners process multiword phrase frequency like natives do. This is not restricted to higher frequency phrases, but occurs across the frequency continuum: as natives, learners show multiword frequency effects even when comparing a lower frequency phrase to a higher (but still low) frequency phrase. In addition, we show that the effect is not modulated by the type of English exposure (immersion vs. classroom). These results indicate that late language users develop sensitivity to distributional properties of large language units at native-like level.