Formulaicity of Language: Its Pervasiveness and the Processing Advantage in Language Use

Abstract

Language makes extensive use of formulaic sequences, such as in other words or as soon as, which are typically described as multiword expressions that are stored, retrieved and processed as a single lexical unit. It is now widely acknowledged that the appropriate use of formulae and collocation is a prerequisite for proficient language use (Sinclair, 1991; Wray, 2002). Accumulating research shows that a word in a formulaic sequence is processed faster than the same word in a non-formulaic sequence, suggesting that there is a processing advantage for formulaic language use. It is yet to be known, however, if there is a psychological validity of formulaic sequences in the human mind, as the studies do not demonstrate clear-cut results (Schmitt, Grandage & Adolphos, 2004; Schmitt & Underwood, 2004; Underwood, Schmitt & Galpin, 2004; Jiang & Nekrasova, 2007; Conklin & Schmitt, 2008). In the research of second language (L2) acquisition, language learners are often reported to have problems with these multiword expressions (Howarth, 1998; Nesselhauf, 2003; among others), leading me to suggest that the intervention of language teaching should play a crucial part in the development of these properties. Considering the relationship between formulaicity and creativity of language, I conclude by proposing that a model which could accommodate both idiomaticity and novelty of human language at the same level would be necessary for the development of L2 research.