Advanced topics in psycholinguistics

Aims

Aims

This module focuses on the relation between the grammar and the parser and between linguistic theory and psycholinguistics. This module builds on L31M (LAN00031M - Psycholinguistics) and aims to support independent research in experimental psycholinguistics, with a focus on sentence processing by encouraging discussion with staff and peers engaged in related research.

Besides introducing current approaches to the relation between the grammar and the parser, the course provides specific examples of how linguistic analysis can shape our understanding of cognitive mechanisms (e.g. memory).

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Syntax (LAN00025M)

Psycholinguistics (LAN00031M)

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

2 contact hours per week lectures and practical work or seminars.

Teaching programme

The course will focus on sentence processing, providing examples of the contribution of sophisticated linguistic theory to the understanding of memory mechanisms and apparent cross-linguistic and cross-population variation in processing. Issues at the interface of syntax with memory, pragmatics and prosody will be discussed, together with issues in language acquisition and impairment (the course might not cover each of these topics every year). Discussion of specific issues in experimental psycholinguistics will be carried on alternating traditional lectures with seminar style teaching.

Topics will include:

• Sentence Comprehension

• Sentence Production

• Syntactic Processing and memory mechanisms

• Processing of Filler-gap dependencies

At the end of the module the student should:

• Become aware of the interaction of cognitive general and language specific constraints in the domain of sentence processing

• Evaluate experimental psycholinguistics literature from both the point of view of empirical coverage and that of theoretical coherence and formal elegance

• Connect linguistic theory to experimental predictions

• Evaluate relevance of experimental results for specific theoretical positions

• Plan, design and carry out a basic research project in experimental psycholinguistics

Teaching materials

A pack of readings will be available.

Assessment

Assessment

• one 5000 word essay