Two experiments and a corpus study tested whether Brazilian Portuguese (BP), which has been argued to be shifting from null subjects toward overt subjects indeed shows a comprehension preference for reduced over fuller anaphors for salient antecedents, and whether comprehension is better explained as an imbalance between processing cost and discourse function (pragmatics account), or simply the frequency of different constructions (usage-based account). Sentences with overt pronouns were read slower (Experiment 1) but rated more acceptable (Experiment 2) than sentences with null pronouns when the antecedents were salient. Sentences with repeated names showed weaker effects than overt pronouns. The corpus analysis confirmed that BP is changing, but that null subjects are not yet infrequent, especially in academic writings. We argue that these results reflect a "pronoun avoidance strategy" in BP related to its transitory state, and propose a new view that integrates elements from both the pragmatics and usage-based accounts.

Almor, A., de Carvalho Maia, J., Cunha Lima, M., Vernice, M., Gelormini Lezama, C. (2017). Language processing, acceptability, and statistical distribution: A study of null and overt subjects in Brazilian Portuguese. JOURNAL OF MEMORY AND LANGUAGE, 92, 98-113 [10.1016/j.jml.2016.06.001].

Language processing, acceptability, and statistical distribution: A study of null and overt subjects in Brazilian Portuguese

VERNICE, MIRTA
Penultimo
;
2017

Abstract

Two experiments and a corpus study tested whether Brazilian Portuguese (BP), which has been argued to be shifting from null subjects toward overt subjects indeed shows a comprehension preference for reduced over fuller anaphors for salient antecedents, and whether comprehension is better explained as an imbalance between processing cost and discourse function (pragmatics account), or simply the frequency of different constructions (usage-based account). Sentences with overt pronouns were read slower (Experiment 1) but rated more acceptable (Experiment 2) than sentences with null pronouns when the antecedents were salient. Sentences with repeated names showed weaker effects than overt pronouns. The corpus analysis confirmed that BP is changing, but that null subjects are not yet infrequent, especially in academic writings. We argue that these results reflect a "pronoun avoidance strategy" in BP related to its transitory state, and propose a new view that integrates elements from both the pragmatics and usage-based accounts.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Brazilian Portuguese; Null pronouns; Overt pronouns; Overt-pronouns-penalty; Repeated names; Repeated-name-penalty;
Brazilian Portuguese; Null pronouns; Overt pronouns; Overt-pronouns-penalty; Repeated names; Repeated-name-penalty; Language and Linguistics; Experimental and Cognitive Psychology; Linguistics and Language; Artificial Intelligence; Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
English
2017
92
98
113
reserved
Almor, A., de Carvalho Maia, J., Cunha Lima, M., Vernice, M., Gelormini Lezama, C. (2017). Language processing, acceptability, and statistical distribution: A study of null and overt subjects in Brazilian Portuguese. JOURNAL OF MEMORY AND LANGUAGE, 92, 98-113 [10.1016/j.jml.2016.06.001].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/118669
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