On the asymmetry between subject and object relative clauses in discourse context

This paper investigates the possibility of an effect of contextual information during the processing of sentences containing subject relative clauses (SRCs) and object relative clauses (ORCs) in Brazilian Portuguese. The predictions from one-stage models and from syntaxoriented approaches to sentence processing are outlined. An eye-tracking experiment is reported in which SRCs and ORC were presented when preceded by narrative contexts that could either favor a subject or an object relative clause analysis. The results suggest that ORCs are harder to process when compared to SRCs, no matter what discourse contexts they are inserted in. The contextual effect obtained here can be ascribed to a pre-syntactic priming, ie. a priming effect which arises during lexical access. The possibility of pre- and post-syntactic contextual effects in the processing of RCs is discussed

Factors affecting processing cost and their implications to language acquisition

Factors affecting processing cost are presented, which include computational cost, defined in relation to an on-line model of syntactic computation (CORRÊA; AUGUSTO, 2007) and the cost derived from processing at the phonetic and semantic interfaces. Their implications to language acquisition are considered, in the light of a procedural theory of language acquisition (CORRÊA, 2006). The degree of visibility of morphophonological distinction at the phonetic interface, conceptual-intentional distinctions at the processing of the semantic interface, which contribute to the specification of formal features in the lexicon, and memory load are the factors discussed here.KEYWORDS: Language Acquisition. Boostrapping. Processing Cost. Minimalism.Fatores determinantes de custo de processamento são apontados, os quais incluem custo computacional, definido em função do modelo de computação on-line em Corrêa e Augusto (2007), e custo decorrente do processamento nas interfaces fônica e semântica. Suas implicações para a aquisição da linguagem são consideradas, no contexto de uma teoria procedimental de aquisição da língua (CORRÊA, 2006). Grau de visibilidade de distinções morfofonológicas na interface fônica, distinções conceptuais-intencionais relevantes na especificação de traços formais do léxico, mediante processamento na interface semântica, e peso da carga imposta à memória de trabalho na análise do material lingüístico são fatores especificamente discutidos.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Aquisição da Linguagem. Bootstrapping. Custo de Processamento. Minimalismo. ABSTRACT Factors affecting processing cost are presented, which include computational cost, defined in relation to an on-line model of syntactic computation (CORRÊA; AUGUSTO, 2007) and the cost derived from processing at the phonetic and semantic interfaces. Their implications to language acquisition are considered, in the light of a procedural theory of language acquisition (CORRÊA, 2006). The degree of visibility of morphophonological distinction at the phonetic interface, conceptual-intentional distinctions at the processing of the semantic interface, which contribute to the specification of formal features in the lexicon, and memory load are the factors discussed here.KEYWORDS: Language Acquisition. Boostrapping. Processing Cost. Minimalism

Computação lingüística no processamento on-line: soluções formais para a incorporação de uma derivação minimalista em modelos de processamento

The possibility of a minimalist derivation being equated with on-line computation is caused into question. Formal solutions are explored, in the context of an Integrated Model of Linguistic Competence, for solving the problems that such an equation presents regarding the directionality of the derivation vis-à-vis incremental processing and costless movement operations. A mixed top-down/ bottom-up model is proposed, which relies on parallel derivational spaces. Sequential and simultaneous copies in the course of the derivation distinguish movement with and without computational cost

Perspectivas minimalistas en la investigación psicolingüística

A particular approach to the study of psycholinguistic processes is presented, which is based on a minimalist conception of language. A procedural model of language acquisition is sketched, which reconciles infants speech processing and the idea of innately guided learning with a minimalist view of the initial state of language acquisition in an account of the bootstrapping problem. Language acquisition is viewed as proceeding with the progressive specification of formal features of the functional categories of the lexicon. The possibility of a minimalist derivation to be incorporated in a sentence production and/or comprehension model is discussed. Possible sources of language impairment, as manifested in SLI (Specific Language Impairment) syndrome, are considered in the light of this integrative approach. Reference is made to experimental work carried out in Brazilian Portuguese, with some extension to European Portuguese and River-Plate Spanish.Apresentase uma abordagem particular para o estudo de processos psicolinguísticos, que tem por base uma concepção minimalista de língua. um modelo procedimental da aquisição da linguagem é esboçado, no qual se conciliam, no tratamento do problema do desenca- deamento da sintaxe, o processamento da fala por infantes aliado à ideia de aprendizagem guiada por fatores inatos, com uma visão minimalista do estado inicial da aquisição da linguagem. A aquisição da linguagem é concebida como a progressiva especificação dos traços formais das categorias funcionais do léxico. Discutese a possibilidade de incorporação de uma derivação minimalista em modelos de produção/compreensão de sentenças. Possíveis fontes de problemas de linguagem, tais como os manifestos no quadro do DEL (Défict Específico da Linguagem), são consideradas à luz dessa abordagem integrada. Remetese a resultados obtidos em experimentos conduzidos em Português Brasileiro, alguns dos quais replicados em Português Europeu e Espanhol Rioplatense..Se presenta una aproximación particular al estudio de los procesos psicolingüísticos, la cual está basada en una aproximación minimalista del lenguaje. Se esboza un modelo procedimental de la adquisición del lenguaje, el cual reconcilia el procesamiento del habla en los niños, y la idea del aprendizaje innatamente guiado, con una visión minimalista del estado inicial de la adquisición del lenguaje en una explicación del problema del arranque. La adquisición del lenguaje es vista como procedente con la especificación progresiva de los rasgos formales de las categorías funcionales del léxico. Se discute la posibilidad de que una derivación minimalista sea incorporada en un modelo de producción y/o comprensión de frases. Se consideran posibles fuentes de impedimentos del lenguaje, como los manifestados en el síndrome TEL (Trastorno Específico del Lenguaje), a la luz de esta aproximación integrativa. Se hace referencia al trabajo experimental llevado a cabo en portugués brasileño, con alguna extensión al portugués europeo y al español del Río de la Plata

Acquisition and language processing: an integrated approach from the minimalist perspective

The learnability problem of language acquisition is viewed as requiring a both linguistic and psycholinguistic treatment. Difficulties for an effective joint approach to this problem are identified. An integrated approach is proposed which reconciles the phonological bootstrapping hypothesis with a minimalist conception of language. The early distinction between closed and open lexical classes is considered to be fundamental to the initialization of a universal computational system. Linguistic development is characterized as the progressive specification of the formal features of the functional categories, as processing at the phonetic and semantic interfaces proceeds. Directions for future research on language acquisition in the light of this approach are suggested