Letter transpositions and morphemic boundaries in the second language processing of derived words: An exploratory study of individual differences

Abstract Research into nonnative (L2) morphological processing has produced largely conflicting findings. To contribute to the discussions surrounding contradictory findings in literature, we examined L2 priming effects along with a transposed-letter (TL) methodology. Critically, also explored potential of individual differences reading networks speakers using test battery proficiency. A masked primed lexical decision experiment was carried out which same target (e.g., ALLOW) preceded by prime ( allowable ), TL-within all wo able an substituted letter (SL)-within ve TL-across allo aw ble SL-across im or unrelated believable ). The average data yielded but no significant TL priming. However, results exploratory analysis suggested that variability mediated group-level patterns speakers. and were obtained only when performance participants on nonword considered, while magnitude diminished as knowledge vocabulary expanded. highlight importance considering testing populations.