An investigation of metaphor comprehension by two second language learners

Metaphors are so fundamental to language that many researchers regard them as requiring no extra cognitive effort to process. This may be true for native speakers of that language but this is not necessarily true for learners of a second language (L2). Second language learners' comprehension of metaphors of the target language "should not be confounded with an expectation that it prompts no extra effort" (Noveck, Bianco, & Castry, 2001, p. 109) on their behalf. Research into this area has been minimal and therefore needs to be explored as "the way we think, what we experience, and what we do everyday is very much a matter of metaphor" (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980, p. 3). Therefore, in order to explore this area of much needed investigation; I have conducted a qualitative research using case study to probe into the ways in which two L2 learners comprehend metaphors in a metaphorically rich text. I use a combination of Think Aloud, Stimulate Recall, Word Replacement Tests and Individual Inquiry methods and have developed a coding system of the qualitative data collected. The results of my analysis show that the two L2 learners have difficulties comprehending metaphors in text. Further research into this area is required in order to eventually create teaching methodologies that assist L2 learners to develop strategies to understand the metaphors in a target language and to effectively use them in communication.