Metaphors and the mental lexicon

In two experiments we investigate the possibility that lexicalization can a ccount for the distinction between literal and metaphorical language. In bo th experiments, sentence contexts were presented with the final word missin g. When subjects signaled they understood the context, two possible final w ords were presented and subjects were required to decide which was more app ropriate. Semantic decision times over five different types of stimuli inve stigating literal and metaphorical word usage were consistent with a modifi ed class inclusion model in which both the lexicalized meaning of words and the context in which they are presented make essential contributions to un derstanding, (C) 1999 Academic Press.