A critical review of processing mechanisms and moderating factors in L2 conceptual metaphor comprehension

บทคัดย่อ

Metaphors are fundamental to human cognition and language but present
significant challenges for second language (L2) learners due to the unpredictability
of figurative meanings and the cognitive demands required for processing.
While much research has focused on metaphor comprehension in first-language
contexts, there is still limited understanding of the specific difficulties faced by
L2 learners. This review examines the mechanisms and factors that influence
L2 metaphor comprehension, emphasizing their limitations in forming
a comprehensive picture of how learners’ strategies, conceptual transfers,
and neural processes interact. Critical issues include processing mechanism
inconsistencies and research methodology inadequacies, particularly the lack
of cross-linguistic analysis and insufficient data triangulation. Our findings
address the need for cross-linguistic interdisciplinary approaches, improved
research designs, and methodological triangulation to capture the complexity of
L2 metaphor comprehension more accurately. This review offers directions for
advancing future research to develop a more comprehensive understanding of
how cognitive and linguistic elements interact in L2 metaphor comprehension.