Does phonology play a role when skilled readers read high-frequency words? Evidence from ERPs

We used event-related brain potentials to clarify the role of phonology in activating the meanings of high-frequency words during skilled silent reading. Target homophones (meet) in sentences such as The students arranged to meet in the library to study were replaced on some trials by either a high-frequency homophone mate (meat) or a spelling control word (mean). Differences between homophone errors and spelling controls were observed, both in the N400 component and in earlier time windows, suggesting that phonology continues to play a role in activating word meanings even for highly practiced words. A manipulation of the frequency of the correct target word provided evidence concerning the nature of the processing involved.