Processing filler-gap dependencies in a head-final language

摘要: This paper investigates the processing of long-distance filler-gap dependencies in Japanese, a strongly head-final language. Two self-paced reading experiments and one sentence completion study show that Japanese readers associate fronted wh-phrase with most deeply embedded clause multi-clause sentence. Experiment 1 demonstrates this using evidence expect to encounter scope-marking affix on verb an wh-fronting constructions. 2 shows is already associated before processed, based counterpart Filled Gap Effect (Stowe, 1986). 3 corroborates these findings study. These clarify factors responsible for active filler effects (Crain & Fodor, 1985; 1978; Frazier Clifton, 1989; Stowe, 1986) ways not possible head-initial languages. The results provide driven by need satisfy thematic role requirements phrase, rather than create gap as soon possible. also discusses implications theories reanalysis. 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.