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Neural Evidence for Syntactic Unification in Second Language Sentence Comprehension: A Time-Frequency Analysis

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Title: Neural Evidence for Syntactic Unification in Second Language Sentence Comprehension: A Time-Frequency Analysis
Language: English
Authors: Yoonsang Song (ORCID 0000-0003-2725-2083), Yu Li, Patrick C. M. Wong (ORCID 0000-0002-6105-5027)
Source: Language Learning. 2025 75(3):735-770.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 36
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Brain, Evidence, Syntax, Cognitive Processes, Second Language Learning, Sentences, Reading Comprehension, Native Speakers, English (Second Language), Sino Tibetan Languages
DOI: 10.1111/lang.12676
ISSN: 0023-8333
1467-9922
Abstract: This study investigates whether syntactic unification occurs during online L2 sentence comprehension using time-frequency analysis. We measured the oscillatory power changes in native English speakers and L1-Cantonese L2-English speakers while they were reading well-formed English sentences, syntactically intact nonsense sentences, and random word lists. Additionally, we conducted traditional ERP analyses to test L2 speakers' sensitivity to NP-internal number (dis)agreement. The results show that low-beta power significantly increased in the L2 group when reading not only well-formed sentences but also nonsense sentences, replicating the pattern found in the L1 group. This suggests that syntactic unification occurs in L2 comprehension as reliably as in L1 comprehension. However, L2 speakers did not show increased positivity for NP-internal number disagreement, indicating that they have not developed native-like sensitivity to this syntactic error. The implications of these time-frequency and ERP data for L2 sentence processing and syntactic development are discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://oasis-database.org
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1484517
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Neural Evidence for Syntactic Unification in Second Language Sentence Comprehension: A Time-Frequency Analysis
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yoonsang+Song%22">Yoonsang Song</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2725-2083">0000-0003-2725-2083</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yu+Li%22">Yu Li</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Patrick+C%2E+M%2E+Wong%22">Patrick C. M. Wong</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6105-5027">0000-0002-6105-5027</externalLink>)
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 10.1111/lang.12676
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  Data: 0023-8333<br />1467-9922
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  Data: This study investigates whether syntactic unification occurs during online L2 sentence comprehension using time-frequency analysis. We measured the oscillatory power changes in native English speakers and L1-Cantonese L2-English speakers while they were reading well-formed English sentences, syntactically intact nonsense sentences, and random word lists. Additionally, we conducted traditional ERP analyses to test L2 speakers' sensitivity to NP-internal number (dis)agreement. The results show that low-beta power significantly increased in the L2 group when reading not only well-formed sentences but also nonsense sentences, replicating the pattern found in the L1 group. This suggests that syntactic unification occurs in L2 comprehension as reliably as in L1 comprehension. However, L2 speakers did not show increased positivity for NP-internal number disagreement, indicating that they have not developed native-like sensitivity to this syntactic error. The implications of these time-frequency and ERP data for L2 sentence processing and syntactic development are discussed.
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        Value: 10.1111/lang.12676
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        PageCount: 36
        StartPage: 735
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      – SubjectFull: Evidence
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      – SubjectFull: Syntax
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Processes
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      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sentences
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      – SubjectFull: Reading Comprehension
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      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
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      – SubjectFull: Sino Tibetan Languages
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      – TitleFull: Neural Evidence for Syntactic Unification in Second Language Sentence Comprehension: A Time-Frequency Analysis
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            NameFull: Yoonsang Song
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