Measuring reformulation through eye-tracking. The role of reformulation markers in establishing reformulation: an experimental approach

Abstract

This paper builds on the notion of reformulation as a category which can be distinguished from other closer functions (paraphrase, conclusion, correction) (Pons Bordería, 2013, 2017). In particular, it focuses on the relationship between reformulation and reformulation markers in Spanish. On the basis of previous theoretical works (Rossari, 1990, 1994), it is argued that paraphrases can be produced and assimilated without any discourse marker since they are based on equivalence, while reformulation involves some degree of distance which can only be highlighted (even established) by using reformulation markers (e.g., Sp. o sea, es decir‘that is’). Experimental results obtained from eye-trackingexperiments (Rayner, 1998, 2009) show that reformulation can be produced with or without reformulation markers; their presence facilitates its assimilation throughout the whole reading, but its absence does not affect the complete processing. Eye-tracking experiments are based on the eye-mind hypothesis (Just y Carpenter, 1980), by which ocular movements produced when contents are observed reveal how information is being cognitively processed. Eye-tracking data allow thus for completing theoretical ideas and hypotheses from a new dimension offering qualitative and quantitative results (Noveck y Sperber, 2004).