Psycholinguistics and Parsing
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Questions and Answers

In the context of syntactic parsing, what is the key characteristic of 'garden path sentences'?

  • They are sentences with complex noun phrases.
  • They are sentences that are unusually long and difficult to comprehend.
  • They are sentences with multiple possible meanings.
  • They are sentences that initially lead to a mistaken interpretation. (correct)

What is one advantage of the Self-Paced Reading Task (SPRT) for studying parsing?

  • SPRT allows researchers to analyze how visual cues influence sentence understanding.
  • SPRT allows researchers to measure the time it takes to understand the entire sentence.
  • SPRT allows researchers to control the processing of individual words. (correct)
  • SPRT allows researchers to manipulate the order of words in a sentence.

According to the Garden Path Model, which principle states that new information should be attached to the currently active phrase?

  • Late Closure (correct)
  • Early Closure
  • High Attachment
  • Minimal Attachment

Which of these is NOT a type of Self-Paced Reading Task (SPRT) presentation?

<p>Sequential Non-Cumulative (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is an example of a 'garden path sentence'?

<p>The old man the boats. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the process of parsing involve establishing dependencies?

<p>By connecting related elements in a sentence, like pronoun references to their antecedents. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of psycholinguistics in relation to bilingualism and second language acquisition?

<p>How two languages are represented in the mind and how language switching occurs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a potential disadvantage of using SPRT?

<p>Requiring a large number of sentences and stimuli for analysis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method employed in psycholinguistics?

<p>Qualitative analysis of language samples from different cultures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between 'minimal attachment' and 'late closure'?

<p>Minimal attachment and late closure are independent principles, with minimal attachment focusing on simplicity and late closure addressing the attachment of new information. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key distinction introduced by Noam Chomsky in understanding language?

<p>The differentiation between competence (knowledge of language) and performance (actual use of language). (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a central focus of Neurolinguistics?

<p>The influence of language on cognitive development. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key idea differentiates Cognitive Linguistics from traditional psycholinguistics?

<p>Cognitive Linguistics rejects the idea that language is an autonomous cognitive faculty, arguing that it shapes our understanding of the world. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

B.F. Skinner's theory of language acquisition is primarily associated with which approach?

<p>Behaviorism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between psycholinguistics and SLA (Second Language Acquisition)?

<p>Psycholinguistics is a broader field encompassing SLA, but their methodologies and focus differ. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between competence and performance in psycholinguistics?

<p>Competence represents the knowledge of language, while performance refers to the actual use of language. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these types of bilinguals would be described as having native-like competence in both languages?

<p>Simultaneous Bilinguals (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of child bilingualism, what does the acronym 'OPOL' stand for?

<p>One Parent, One Language (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Romaine (1995), which type of child bilingualism involves parents using a non-native language to the child?

<p>Type 3: Non-Native Parents Using a Second Language (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT a characteristic of the 'mythical bilingual' as described by Valdés (2001)?

<p>This ideal is quite common in multilingual societies. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the 'Continuum Model' in relation to bilingualism?

<p>Bilingualism is a process and a product, existing on a spectrum of proficiency. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'critical periods' influence the competence of 'Late Bilinguals'?

<p>The age of onset can influence the level of proficiency achieved in the second language. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between the fields of 'Second Language Acquisition' (SLA) and 'Psychology/Education' in their definition of bilingualism?

<p>SLA focuses on the acquisition process while Psychology/Education focuses on the proficiency outcome. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the 'One Language, One Environment' (OLOE) type of child bilingualism?

<p>A child raised in a Spanish-speaking household attending English-speaking school. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Anaphoric Resolution (AR), what does the term "topic continuity" refer to?

<p>The use of null pronouns to indicate that a previously mentioned entity is still being discussed. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these languages is considered a null-subject language, where null pronouns can be used to maintain topic continuity?

<p>Spanish (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference in pronoun usage between null-subject languages and non-null-subject languages like English?

<p>Null-subject languages use null pronouns for topic continuity, while non-null-subject languages always use overt pronouns. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the sentence "Juan(1) helped Pedro(2) wash the car. He(1) washed the windows while Peter(2) washed the hood." what does the pronoun "He" refer to?

<p>Juan (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to research, how do advanced L2 learners of Spanish typically handle Anaphoric Resolution (AR) compared to native speakers?

<p>Advanced L2 learners show the same strong preference for null pronouns as native speakers. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that contributes to the challenges faced by heritage speakers in acquiring native-like AR strategies in Spanish?

<p>Limited exposure to Spanish in their early years (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do early bilinguals (heritage speakers) typically differ from later bilinguals (L2 learners) in their sensitivity to the Principle of Agreement with the Subject (PAS) in Spanish?

<p>Early bilinguals are less sensitive to PAS than later bilinguals due to incomplete acquisition of Spanish grammar and reduced input. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of incomplete acquisition of Anaphoric Resolution (AR) strategies in bilinguals or L2 learners?

<p>Ambiguity in pronoun reference, potentially leading to misunderstandings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the cognitive cost associated with code-switching?

<p>Switching from a dominant language (L1) to a non-dominant language (L2) can incur a higher cognitive cost, depending on the specific language pair and the context. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following studies focused on the impact of context on the cognitive cost of code-switching?

<p>Olson (2016) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, which of these accurately describes the relationship between code-switching and inhibitory control?

<p>Inhibitory control is context-dependent and can influence the ease or difficulty of code-switching, particularly when switching to the dominant language. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The research on cognitive costs associated with code-switching suggests that:

<p>The ease or difficulty of switching is influenced by language dominance, context, and individual factors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The provided text emphasizes that code-switching:

<p>Offers insights into bilingual cognitive processes, highlighting the interplay of activation and inhibition of languages. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Stroop effect demonstrate the concept of "attentional control"?

<p>The Stroop effect showcases individuals' ability to suppress a dominant task (reading) to focus on a less dominant task (color naming). (B), The Stroop task assesses how well people can ignore distracting information, such as the word's meaning, while focusing on the color. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the congruent and incongruent conditions in the Stroop task?

<p>The congruent condition presents stimuli where the word meaning matches the color, while the incongruent condition presents mismatched stimuli. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do reaction times (RTs) in the Stroop task reflect executive functions?

<p>Faster RTs indicate better executive function, while slower RTs indicate weaker executive function. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the proposed advantage of bilingualism in terms of executive control?

<p>Bilinguals are better at switching between tasks, as they regularly switch between languages. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Bialystok et al. (2011), how do the Stroop effect RTs differ between bilinguals and monolinguals?

<p>Bilinguals show a weaker Stroop effect, indicating their superior executive control. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the Speed of Processing Theory in explaining the Stroop effect?

<p>Reading words is a faster process than naming colors, making the incongruent condition more challenging. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Stroop task, what is the relationship between age and reaction times?

<p>Older participants have slower RTs, indicating a decline in cognitive function with age. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does proficiency in bilingualism affect the bilingual advantage in executive control?

<p>High-proficiency bilinguals demonstrate a stronger bilingual advantage, suggesting better executive control. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Syntactic Parsing

The mental process of analyzing sentence structure during comprehension.

Structuring Input

Classifying words into grammatical categories and assigning hierarchical structures.

Establishing Dependencies

Identifying relationships between elements in a sentence, like pronouns and their antecedents.

Self-Paced Reading Task (SPRT)

A method where participants read sentences segment by segment, measuring reaction times.

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Garden Path Model

A parsing theory suggesting the parser uses heuristics to minimize cognitive effort during processing.

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Minimal Attachment

A principle stating to build the simplest syntactic tree with the fewest nodes during parsing.

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Late Closure

A principle where new information is attached to the phrase currently being processed.

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Garden Path Sentences

Sentences that mislead the parser into an incorrect initial analysis requiring reanalysis.

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Null-Subject Languages

Languages that allow omission of subject pronouns, like Spanish and Italian.

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Overt Pronouns

Pronouns that are explicitly stated in discourse, such as 'he', 'she', or 'they'.

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Null Pronouns

Pronouns that are omitted because the subject is understood from context.

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Topic Continuity

Maintaining the same subject or topic throughout discourse using null pronouns.

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Topic Shift

Changing the subject or topic in discourse, marked by using overt pronouns.

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Heritage Speakers

Bilingual individuals who have a cultural and language background but often less exposure to the minority language.

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PAS (Pronoun Assignment Strategy)

A strategy to determine pronoun usage based on topic continuity and shift.

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Bilingual Parsing

The process by which bilingual speakers interpret sentences using both languages' rules.

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Innate Language

The theory that language ability is inherent in humans, not learned through imitation.

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Language Competence

The knowledge of a language system that a speaker has, independent of their performance.

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Language Performance

The actual use of language in concrete situations, reflecting linguistic competence.

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Psycholinguistics

The study of how language is processed in the brain and learned by individuals.

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Bilingualism

The ability to speak and understand two languages fluently.

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Second Language Acquisition (SLA)

The process by which people learn a second language in addition to their native language.

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Neuroimaging in Language

Techniques like EEG and fMRI used to study brain activity during language processing.

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Universal Grammar

Chomsky's theory that all human languages share a common structural basis.

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Cognitive Costs of Code-Switching

Processing delays that occur when switching languages while speaking.

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Simultaneous Bilinguals

Individuals who learn two languages from birth or the first few months.

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Asymmetrical Costs

Switching from the non-dominant language to the dominant one is more challenging.

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Monolingual Mode

Higher switching costs when switching into the dominant language in a single-language context.

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Sequential Bilinguals

Individuals who learn a second language after acquiring the first.

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One Parent, One Language (OPOL)

A strategy where each parent speaks their native language to the child.

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Bilingual Mode

Costs are symmetrical when switching between both languages in a dual-language context.

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One Language, One Environment (OLOE)

A scenario where a child hears one language at home and another in the community.

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Inhibitory Control Theory (ICT)

Theory suggesting that language inhibition is dependent on the context of language use.

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Non-Native Parents Using a Second Language

Parents who speak a non-native language to raise their child bilingual.

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Mythical Bilinguals

A rare ideal where individuals speak two languages perfectly.

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Continuum Model of Bilingualism

The understanding that bilingualism is a spectrum, not binary.

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Stroop Effect

Interference in reaction time when naming colors of words that conflict.

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Attentional Control

The brain's ability to manage conflicting processes and focus attention.

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Congruent Condition

When the word meaning and color match, facilitating faster response.

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Incongruent Condition

When the word meaning and color do not match, causing interference.

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Executive Control

Functions related to the frontal lobe that manage attention and tasks.

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Bilingual Advantage

Enhanced executive control in bilinguals due to language management.

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Speed of Processing Theory

Theory stating reading words is faster than naming colors, causing delays.

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Selective Attention Theory

Theory explaining that naming colors requires more cognitive resources than reading.

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Study Notes

Psycholinguistics Overview

  • Psycholinguistics is the study of cognitive processes underlying language acquisition and use.
  • It encompasses first language acquisition, second language learning, comprehension, production and impairment.
  • Bilingual processing is a key area, focusing on how the two languages interact and affect each other in processing and comprehension.

Core Questions in Psycholinguistics

  • Neurolinguistics: Investigates language's physical location in the brain.
  • Psycholinguistics: Explores how language is processed, mentally.
  • Other key questions include: Bilingual language mixing, complex sentence interpretation, predictable errors made by learners.

Linguistics and Psycholinguistics

  • Psycholinguistics draws connections from various linguistic branches like descriptive and theoretical linguistics, and neurolinguistics which studies the brain processes involved in language.
  • Descriptive Linguistics: Examines structural features of language.
  • Theoretical Linguistics: Includes formal and functional approaches to language rules analysis.
  • Neurolinguistics: Studies the brain-language interactions.

Research Traditions

  • Behaviorism (1950s): Associated external stimulus with language, viewing language acquisition as formed through associations through trial and error. Skinner's audio-lingual method emphasized repetition and reinforcement.
  • Cognitivism (1960s): Emphasizing internal mental processes in language, with Chomsky proposing innateness and recursion of language. It distinguished between language competence (knowledge) and performance (actual use) in language.

Methods and Theories

  • Reaction Time (RT) and Eye Tracking (ET): Measure processing speed and eye movements.
  • Neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI): Reveals brain locations of processing.
  • Corpus Analysis: Analyses language patterns in large dataset.

Bilingualism and L2 Learning

  • Significant focus of psycholinguistics.
  • Examines bilingual's dual representation in the mind, language switching mechanisms, language errors and how these errors are used to understand cognitive strategies.

Different Researchers and Their Contributions

  • B.F. Skinner: Key figure in behaviorism, focusing on observable behavior.
  • Noam Chomsky: Introduced theoretical approach emphasizing innate language and Universal Grammar.
  • VanPatten, B.: Contributed to understanding how languages are learned and processed.

Language and the Brain

  • Language is processed and localized within the human brain.
  • Basic Brain Structure and Function: Explores the brain's anatomy and how different areas are involved in language processing.
  • The left hemisphere is most actively associated with language.
  • Language Areas in the Brain:
  • Broca's area (frontal lobe): Associated with grammatical processing and speech production
  • Wernicke's area (temporal lobe): associated with semantics (meaning)
  • Hemispheric Specialization: Left hemisphere for verbal; right for non-verbal.

Neurological Evidence and Brain Imaging

  • Modern research suggests language involves a diverse system.
  • Language processing is a result of multi-complex and distributed networks.

Syntactic Parsing

  • Parsing: The mental process of analyzing sentence structure while understanding its comprehension.
  • It involves two key steps:
  • Structuring Input: Identifying different grammatical elements and their hierarchy
  • Establishing Dependencies: Finding relationships between elements.

Parsing Theories

  • Garden Path Model (Frazier, 1987): This model proposes that individuals prefer simple syntactic structures while processing.
  • Two main principles:Minimal Attachment & Late Closure

Syntactic Parsing of Relative Clauses

  • Parsing Relative Clauses (RCS): Examines processing of relative clauses in single-language and bilingual contexts.
  • Attachment types: High Attachment & Low Attachment

Native Language Parsing

  • English Prefers Low Attachment: Consistent with the Late Closure principle.
  • Spanish Prefers High Attachment: Consistent with the Early Closure principle.

Parsing in L2 (Dussias, 2003)

  • Research Question: How do L2 learners handle parsing strategies compared to native speakers?
  • Study: Explores parsing strategies used by bilinguals
  • Findings: Early bilinguals may apply different strategies due to input exposure.

Anaphora Resolution (AR)

  • Anaphora Resolution (AR): Linking pronouns to their antecedents within sentences and discourses.
  • Syntactic Constraints on AR: Constraints regarding pronouns like reflexive, personal and referential.

Code-Switching

  • Code-Switching (CS): Alternate use of two languages during a conversation.
  • Characteristics: Systematic and governed by grammatical rules.
  • Units: Inter-sentential and intra-sentential.
  • Language Choice: Dominant (base) language & secondary (guest) language.

Cognitive Costs of Code-Switching

  • Processing Costs: Code-switching incurs cognitive effort (longer reaction times)
  • Asymmetrical Costs: Switching from non-dominant to dominant language is more costly.
  • Context effects on CS: Context influences cost of switching.

Types of Bilinguals

  • Simultaneous Bilinguals: Learn two languages from birth.
  • Sequential Bilinguals: Learn a second language after age 7.
  • Child Bilingualism (Romaine, 1995): Explores different categories based on parents' language usage.

Neural Basis of Bilingualism

  • Are L1 and L2 processed in the same or different brain areas?: This remains a key research question.
  • Age of acquisition: Early bilinguals tend to have more integrated neural representations of both languages.

Mental Lexicon and Executive Control (Stroop Effect)

  • Examine how executive control affects bilingual language processing.
  • The Stroop effect showcases interference between cognitive processes.
  • Bilingual advantage in executive control: Bilinguals are thought to have improved cognitive control due to the continuous management of multiple language systems
  • Executive control is a type of cognitive control that helps to maintain information/awareness on a task to avoid distractions or similar issues.

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Handout: Intro to Psycholinguistics PDF

Description

Explore key concepts in psycholinguistics with a focus on syntactic parsing, garden path sentences, and self-paced reading tasks. This quiz delves into theories like the Garden Path Model and the principles of minimal attachment and late closure, enhancing your understanding of language processing and bilingualism.

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