Native Word Order Processing Is Not Uniform: An ERP Study of Verb-Second Word Order

Abstract

Studies of native syntactic processing often target phrase structure violations that do not occur in natural production. In contrast, this study examines how variation in basic word order is processed, looking specifically at structures traditionally labelled as violations but that do occur naturally. We examined Swedish verb-second (V2) and verb-third (V3) word order processing in adult native Swedish speakers, manipulating sentence-initial adverbials (temporal idag ‘today’, spatial hemma ‘at home’ and sentential kanske ‘maybe’) in acceptability judgements, in simultaneously recorded event-related potentials (ERP) to visually presented sentences and in a written sentence completion task. An initial corpus study showed that the adverbials differ in frequency in fronted position (idag > kanske > hemma), and although all occur mainly with V2 word order, kanske occurs more frequently with V3 in natural production than both idag and hemma. The experimental results reflected these patterns such that V2 sentences were overall more frequently produced and were deemed more acceptable than V3 sentences. The ERP results consisted of a biphasic N400/P600 response to V3 word order that indicated effects of word retrieval and sentence reanalysis. We also found consistent effects of adverbials. As predicted, V3 was produced more frequently and judged as more acceptable in Kanske sentences than in sentences with the other two adverbials. The ERP analyses showed stronger effects for idag and hemma with V3, especially regarding the P600. The results suggest that the naturally occurring word order ‘violation’, V3 with kanske, is processed differently than V3 with other adverbials where the V2 norm is stronger. Moreover, these patterns are related to individuals’ own production patterns. Overall, the results suggest a more varied native word order processing than previously reported.

In the native speaker’s eye: Online processing of anomalous learner syntax

“…This suggests that the degree of acceptability for non-standard variation has consequences for the reactions seen in the eye-tracking record. Similarly, Sayehli et al (2022) suggested, based on their EEG study, that V3 after kanske 'maybe' (which is a more acceptable construction) was processed differently than V3 after other adverbials.…”

“…Processing of V3evidence from EEG Three studies on Swedish have examined online processing of ungrammatical V3 after sentence-initial adverbials, measured by event-related potentials (ERPs) (Andersson et al, 2019;Yeaton, 2019;Sayehli et al, 2022). Andersson et al and Yeaton manipulated the order of subject and verb, as shown in (2).…”

“…Sentences always started with the adverbs idag ('today') or hemma ('at home'). Sayehli et al (2022) also included sentences with V3 after kanske 'maybe,' which were judged to be more acceptable than sentences with the other two adverbials. Accordingly, the ERP analyses showed stronger effects for V3 after hemma and idag, especially for the P600.…”