Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
08:17
A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential ERP Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 12, 2018
11.2K
Effects of subject-case marking on agreement processing: ERP evidence from Basque
Wing-Yee Chow1, Andrew Nevins2, Manuel Carreiras3
1Research Department of Linguistics, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK; BCBL, Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.
Summary
Brain responses to agreement violations in Basque reveal distinct processing for different subject types. This suggests unique neurocognitive mechanisms for absolutive versus ergative subjects in language comprehension.
Area of Science:
- Psycholinguistics
- Neuroscience
- Linguistic Typology
Background:
- Comprehenders are sensitive to agreement violations across languages.
- Basque, a verb-final ergative language, exhibits both subject-verb (SV) and object-verb (OV) agreement.
- Existing theories propose that true agreement in Basque primarily involves absolutive subjects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurocognitive processing of subject-verb agreement violations in Basque.
- To compare the event-related brain potentials (ERPs) associated with agreement violations in transitive versus intransitive sentences.
- To determine if different subject cases (ergative vs. absolutive) elicit distinct neural responses.
Main Methods:
- Examined event-related brain potentials (ERPs) in participants comprehending Basque sentences.
- Compared ERPs elicited by subject-verb agreement violations in transitive (ergative subject, OV agreement) and intransitive (absolutive subject, no OV agreement) sentences.
- Analyzed specific ERP components, including the P600 and early posterior negativity (EPN).
Main Results:
- A P600 effect was observed for agreement violations in both transitive and intransitive sentences.
- An early posterior negativity (EPN) was uniquely elicited by violations involving intransitive (absolutive) subjects.
- Transitive subject (ergative) violations did not elicit the EPN, despite the presence of OV agreement.
Conclusions:
- Distinct neurocognitive mechanisms underlie the processing of agreement with ergative versus absolutive subjects in Basque.
- The early posterior negativity (EPN) may serve as an electrophysiological signature for true agreement, primarily associated with absolutive subjects.
- Findings support theoretical proposals differentiating agreement processing based on subject case marking in ergative languages.
Related Concept Videos
02:55The Evidence for Evolution
48.5K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
48.5K
01:26Bone Markings
8.3K
Bones have various surface features that help form joints and attach to other soft tissues. Depending on the function, bone markings are categorized into articulating projections, processes for attachment, depressions, and openings.
Articulating Projections
Articulating projections are found where two bones meet to form a joint. These structures are usually found at the ends of bones. The largest articulation is a rounded projection called the head, supported by a narrow neck at the ends of...
Articulating Projections
Articulating projections are found where two bones meet to form a joint. These structures are usually found at the ends of bones. The largest articulation is a rounded projection called the head, supported by a narrow neck at the ends of...
8.3K
03:26Framing Effects
8.0K
Information is everywhere and its presentation—such as how and when items are presented—can impact our perceptions and decisions surrounding the info. This broad concept umbrellas framing effects—influences that occur due to the way information is framed in its appearance, whether it’s purely the order or the specific wording of a message. Let’s take a look at numerous ways in which two versions of something can objectively say the same thing, yet we respond in...
8.0K
01:12Design Example: Marking Boundaries of a Site Using a Compass
296
Marking site boundaries using a compass is a precise surveying technique that ensures the accuracy of boundary delineation. The process begins by using provided site details, including the bearings and lengths of each boundary line. The initial step involves calculating latitudes and departures for all sides of the site. This computation verifies that the traverse is free of errors, ensuring a closed and accurate boundary.The process starts at a known point, such as Point A, which is often...
296
01:13Cable Subjected to Its Own Weight
815
Overhead power transmission lines rely on cables to carry electricity across large distances. To ensure the stability and functionality of these lines, it is crucial to understand the shape and tension experienced by the cables under the influence of their weight.
A generalized loading function is employed to analyze a cable subjected to its own weight. This function considers the force acting along the cable's arc length rather than its projected length, providing a more accurate...
A generalized loading function is employed to analyze a cable subjected to its own weight. This function considers the force acting along the cable's arc length rather than its projected length, providing a more accurate...
815
01:28Cable Subjected to Concentrated Loads
1.4K
Flexible cables are commonly used in various applications for support and load transmission. Consider a cable fixed at two points and subjected to multiple vertically concentrated loads. Determine the shape of the cable and the tension in each portion of the cable, given the horizontal distances between the loads and supports.
1.4K