Functions of Graphemic Components of Kanji on Recognition of Jukugo

熟語の認知における漢字形態要素の機能

Hirose Hitoshi

Hiroshima Forum for Psychology

This study aimed to examine functions of graphemic components of kanji on the recognition of jukugo (two-kanji-compound word). Kiriki (1986), in his study on kanji, suggested that hen (left-side radical of kanji) functioned as an indicator of meaning. Hirose (1992b) suggested that the first kanji of jukugo was used as a retrieval cue for jukugo. The present study investigated whether the activation of hen still remained as a predictor of meaning on the recognition of jukugo. The experiment was carried out using priming paradigms, the same method as used by Kiriki (1986) and Hirose (1992b) wherein the subjects were asked to give lexical decisions. The results of the experiment showed that some activation of hen remained in non jukugo judgment, but not in jukugo judgment. It was noted that the activation becomes gradually focused with the progress of jukugo judgment. Considering the results of previous studies, it can be said that the present study synthetically considered the functions of components on the recognition of jukugo.

word recognition

jukugo

kanji

priming effect

lexical decision

Psychology [ 140 ]

eng

広島大学教育学部心理学教室

[ISSN] 0386-3158

[NCID] AA00210406