Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
08:12
A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments
Published on: March 1, 2022
2.9K
The acceptability judgment of Chinese pseudo-modifiers with and without a sentential context
Tao Gong1,2, Lan Shuai2, Yicheng Wu3
1Center for Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China.
Plos One
|July 19, 2019
Summary
This study on Mandarin Chinese grammar found that non-canonical phrases are less acceptable alone but become well-formed within a sentence context. This highlights the dynamic nature of grammaticality in language.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Psycholinguistics
- Syntax
- Semantics
Background:
- Investigates non-canonical constructions in Mandarin Chinese.
- Focuses on apparent semantics-syntax mismatches.
- Examines acceptability of linguistic sequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the acceptability of non-canonical Mandarin Chinese sequences as standalone fragments.
- Determine the role of context in the syntactic acceptability of these phrases.
- Contribute to understanding the relationship between constituency and grammaticality.
Main Methods:
- Conducted an acceptability judgment experiment.
- Recruited native Mandarin speakers for the experiment.
- Analyzed experimental results on semantic and syntactic acceptability.
Main Results:
- Non-canonical sequences showed significantly lower semantic and syntactic acceptability than canonical phrases.
- Contextualization improved the syntactic acceptability of non-canonical sequences to levels similar to canonical phrases.
- Grammaticality was demonstrated to be gradient, influenced by sentential context.
Conclusions:
- Non-canonical sequences are grammatically distinct from canonical expressions.
- Sentential context is crucial for rendering non-canonical sequences structurally well-formed.
- Advocates for a dynamic linguistic analysis considering word interaction within sentences.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Self Within Cultural Contexts
220
Cultural frameworks for understanding the self are often categorized into two broad orientations: individualism and collectivism. These paradigms influence how people define themselves, relate to others, and interpret their social worlds. Each orientation offers distinct perspectives on autonomy, responsibility, and the role of the individual within a community.Individualistic CulturesIn individualistic cultures like North America and Western Europe, identity is understood as autonomous and...
220
01:17Hypothesis: Accept or Fail to Reject?
29.3K
The outcome of any hypothesis testing leads to rejecting or not rejecting the null hypothesis. This decision is taken based on the analysis of the data, an appropriate test statistic, an appropriate confidence level, the critical values, and P-values. However, when the evidence suggests that the null hypothesis cannot be rejected, is it right to say, 'Accept' the null hypothesis?
There are two ways to indicate that the null hypothesis is not rejected. 'Accept' the null...
There are two ways to indicate that the null hypothesis is not rejected. 'Accept' the null...
29.3K
01:21Impact of Social Context on Individuals
285
Social psychology examines how the real or imagined presence of others influences individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A key concept in this field is the role of social context in shaping behavior. The same individual may act differently depending on the social setting, due to the varying expectations and norms associated with each environment. This context-dependent behavior illustrates the influence of social roles, which prescribe appropriate conduct in specific situations.Social...
285
01:22Vygotsky's Cognitive Development in Cultural Context
984
Lev Vygotsky, a pioneering Russian psychologist, developed a theory of cognitive development that centers on the influence of social and cultural factors. Unlike Jean Piaget, who emphasized the child's direct interaction with the physical world as key to development, Vygotsky argued that cognitive growth is an interpersonal process that unfolds within a cultural context. For Vygotsky, a child's learning cannot be separated from their social environment, which includes the values,...
984
00:57Modified Boxplots
10.8K
A standard box and whisker plot informs us about the spread of the data in a given sample. One can identify the minimum value, maximum value, first quartile value, second quartile or median value, and third quartile.
However, the box plot does not tell the reader about outliers - values that lie far from the center of the data. We can modify the standard box and whisker plot to identify the outliers and visualize the actual spread of the data in a sample.
Initially, we calculate the adjusted...
However, the box plot does not tell the reader about outliers - values that lie far from the center of the data. We can modify the standard box and whisker plot to identify the outliers and visualize the actual spread of the data in a sample.
Initially, we calculate the adjusted...
10.8K
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
1.8K
Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
1.8K