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Relative importance of lexical features in word processing during L2 English reading.

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Title: Relative importance of lexical features in word processing during L2 English reading.
Authors: Nahatame, Shingo1 (AUTHOR) nahatame.shingo.gp@u.tsukuba.ac.jp, Uchida, Satoru2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Studies in Second Language Acquisition. Dec2025, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p1383-1406. 24p.
Subject Terms: Eye tracking, Word processing software, Statistical measurement
Abstract: Word processing during reading is known to be influenced by lexical features, especially word length, frequency, and predictability. This study examined the relative importance of these features in word processing during second language (L2) English reading. We used data from an eye-tracking corpus and applied a machine-learning approach to model word-level eye-tracking measures and identify key predictors. Predictors comprised several lexical features, including length, frequency, and predictability (e.g., surprisal). Additionally, sentence, passage, and reader characteristics were considered for comparison. The analysis found that word length was the most important variable across several eye-tracking measures. However, for certain measures, word frequency and predictability were more important than length, and in some cases, reader characteristics such as proficiency were more significant than lexical features. These findings highlight the complexity of word processing during reading, the shared processes between first language (L1) and L2 reading, and their potential to refine models of eye-movement control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Studies in Second Language Acquisition is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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Header DbId: ehh
DbLabel: Education Research Complete
An: 190671946
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
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  Data: Relative importance of lexical features in word processing during L2 English reading.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nahatame%2C+Shingo%22">Nahatame, Shingo</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> nahatame.shingo.gp@u.tsukuba.ac.jp</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Uchida%2C+Satoru%22">Uchida, Satoru</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Studies+in+Second+Language+Acquisition%22">Studies in Second Language Acquisition</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p1383-1406. 24p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Eye+tracking%22">Eye tracking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Word+processing+software%22">Word processing software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+measurement%22">Statistical measurement</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Word processing during reading is known to be influenced by lexical features, especially word length, frequency, and predictability. This study examined the relative importance of these features in word processing during second language (L2) English reading. We used data from an eye-tracking corpus and applied a machine-learning approach to model word-level eye-tracking measures and identify key predictors. Predictors comprised several lexical features, including length, frequency, and predictability (e.g., surprisal). Additionally, sentence, passage, and reader characteristics were considered for comparison. The analysis found that word length was the most important variable across several eye-tracking measures. However, for certain measures, word frequency and predictability were more important than length, and in some cases, reader characteristics such as proficiency were more significant than lexical features. These findings highlight the complexity of word processing during reading, the shared processes between first language (L1) and L2 reading, and their potential to refine models of eye-movement control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Studies in Second Language Acquisition is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1017/S0272263125101137
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Word processing software
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      – SubjectFull: Statistical measurement
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      – TitleFull: Relative importance of lexical features in word processing during L2 English reading.
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              M: 12
              Text: Dec2025
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              Y: 2025
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