The Importance of Collocation
During the last two decades, the importance and value of collocations has been underscored by a number of linguists who identified the benefits of learning collocations, including improving language performance (Brown, 1974; Nattinger, 1980; 1988); the development of L2 vocabulary (Laufer, 1988, Aghbar, 1990); improving communicative competence (Yorio, 1980; Channell, 1981; Cowie, 1988; Lewis, 2000); and enhancing language fluency towards the level of a native speaker (Fillmore, 1979; Howarth, 1998; Nation, 2001).
Brown (1974), who is one of the first advocates to emphasize the importance of collocations in L2 learning and their incorporation in the EFL/ESL classroom, points out that increasing students’ knowledge
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Furthermore, Nattinger (1988) asserts that collocations are helpful in improving comprehension for the word combinations that aid learners in committing words to memory, as well as allowing learners to predict what kind of lexical items could occur together.
As to the development of L2 vocabulary, Laufer (1988) notes that the evident “rulelessness” of collocations is one issue that obstructs or hinders L2 vocabulary learning. She maintains that collocations represent a crucial aspect in the vocabulary knowledge of learners. Despite the fact that L2 learners encounter difficulties in the use of word combinations, collocations, as suggested by Laufer, can aid in many levels of vocabulary development. Collocations can also aid the development of self-learning strategies, such as guessing. For instance, when hearing the word intense, speakers are aware that it is combined with either pressure, heat, light, or feeling. They are also aware that the word convenient is not usually combined with people. Thus, a sentence like I’m not feeling convenient today is considered unacceptable. Such a guessing strategy can be developed through learning
As maintained by Fillmore, one main constituent of fluency is the knowledge of fixed expressions of which collocations are part. Furthermore, Howarth (1998) suggests that collocations play an essential role in the learning of L2 and assist ESL/EFL students towards speaking more like native speakers. Similarly, Nation (2001) asserts that collocational knowledge is significant in enhancing fluency: “all fluent and appropriate language use requires collocational knowledge” (p.