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Processing syntactically ambiguous sentences: evidence from semantic priming

J L Nicol¹, M J Pickering

¹Department of Linguistics, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.

Journal of Psycholinguistic Research

|March 1, 1993

Summary

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Syntactic ambiguity in sentences is processed in parallel, not sequentially. This study shows that both interpretations of ambiguous sentences are computed simultaneously during language parsing.

Area of Science:

Psycholinguistics
Computational Linguistics
Cognitive Science

Background:

Syntactically ambiguous sentences pose challenges for language comprehension.
Existing parsing models offer conflicting predictions regarding the processing of ambiguity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the parallel processing of syntactically ambiguous sentences.
To determine if multiple interpretations are computed simultaneously or if one is prioritized.

Main Methods:

Utilized a cross-modal semantic priming technique.
Probed for activation of specific nouns (e.g., 'doctor') following an embedded verb in ambiguous sentences.

Main Results:

A significant reactivation effect for 'doctor' was observed after the embedded verb.

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This reactivation suggests the relative clause interpretation was concurrently processed.

Conclusions:

Results support parsing models where clause attachment can be delayed.
Evidence indicates parallel computation of interpretations for syntactically ambiguous sentences.