Knowledge is a river and education is like a stairway: An eye movement study on how L2 speakers process metaphors and similes

Abstract Very little is known about the processes underlying second language (L2) speakers’ understanding of written metaphors and similes. Moreover, most theories on figurative comprehension do not consider reader-related factors. In study, we used eye-tracking to examine how native Finnish speakers ( N = 63) read English nominal (“education a stairway”) similes like stairway”). Identical topic–vehicle pairs were in both conditions. After reading, participants evaluated familiarity each pair. proficiency was measured using Bilingual-language Profile Questionnaire Lexical Test for Advanced Learners English. The results showed that readers more likely regress within than similes, indicating processing requires effort metaphor L2 modulated this effect. are discussed light current processing.