Experimental studies of grammar: anaphora resolution in speech comprehension

 
PIIS0373658X0003700-9-1
DOI10.31857/S0373658X0003700-9
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Affiliation: St. Petersburg State University
Address: St. Petersburg, 101000
Affiliation:
St. Petersburg State University
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Address: St. Petersburg, 101000; Moscow, 199034
Affiliation: St. Petersburg State University
Address: St. Petersburg, 199034
Affiliation: St. Petersburg State University
Address: 199034
Affiliation: St. Petersburg State University
Address: 199034
Journal nameVoprosy Jazykoznanija
EditionIssue 1
Pages76-90
Abstract

This paper addresses one of the central problems in mental grammar studies — the problem of modularity in anaphoric processing. Our study is based on Reuland’s model “Primitives of binding” arguing that anaphoric relations can be established in three independent language modules: syntax, semantics, and discourse. These modules work sequentially: from the most economic syntax to the least economic discourse. We conducted a series of experiments with healthy adult native speakers of Russian (control group), 4-5 year old children with no speech problems, and participants with agrammatic aphasia. Pronoun interpretation in sentences where syntactic and semantic analyses lead to different interpretations was studied. We found that children and adults with aphasia rely on semantic analysis in cases where the control group relies only on syntax.

Keywordsanaphora resolution, aphasia, binding theory, mental grammar, pronouns, speech comprehension
Received02.07.2018
Publication date02.07.2018
Number of characters1076
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