How referential uncertainty is modulated by conjunctions

ERP evidence from advanced Chinese–English L2 learners and English L1 speakers

Bibliographic Data

ID11655905
AuthorsXiaodong Xu (0000-0002-2680-757X, Nanjing Normal University, corresponding author), Meizhu Pan (Nanjing Normal University), Haoyun Dai (0000-0002-8721-9149, Nanjing Normal University), Hui Zhang (0000-0002-8814-226X, Nanjing Normal University), Yiyi Lu (0009-0001-0606-1395, Nanjing Normal University)
Year2018
Volume35
Issue2
Pages195-224
Publication date2018-02-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSecond language Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0267-6583 • E-ISSN: 1477-0326
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0267658318756948
OpenAlexW2785990783
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited77

Conjunctions play a crucial role in the construction of a coherent mental representation by signaling coherence relations between clauses, especially for second language users. By using event-related potentials (ERPs), this study aimed to investigate how different conjunctions ( so, and, although, or a full stop) affect the interpretation of a following ambiguous pronoun for both native and non-native speakers, in sentences such as Lily disappointed Nina, so she .... ERP results showed that relative to so, and, and full stop sentences, the pronoun in although clauses elicited a larger Nref (sustained negativity) response in both native (L1) readers and second language (L2) readers, irrespective of whether the verb in the first clause biased towards a particular noun phrase (NP) referent. Moreover, larger Nrefs to pronouns were seen in L2 than L1 readers when clauses were connected by so, although or a full stop. Additionally, larger Nref responses were evoked by pronouns in NP2- than NP1-biased conditions when the clauses were connected by the conjunction so or when sentences contained no overt conjunctions ( full stop). These findings indicate that different conjunctions exert different modulating effects on resolving referential uncertainty/ambiguity. Relative to native speakers, non-native speakers are more likely to encounter referential uncertainty when the sentences are conjoined by conjunctions with more complex semantics

Adverb · Ambiguity · Animacy · Cognitive psychology · Coherence (philosophical gambling strategy · Dependent clause · Linguistics · Noun · Noun phrase · Pronoun · Referent · Sentence · Verb · Verb phrase · Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills · Mathematics · Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development