Linguistics: Sentence Processing

Principles of sentence comprehension may interact with, and sometimes contradict, each other. For example, consider the following sentences.

  1. The incumbent from the fifth district, who has been campaigning extensively for the past two weeks, won the election.
  2. The election was won by the incumbent from the fifth district, who has been campaigning extensively for the past two weeks.
  3. What principle would predict that (A) will be easier to comprehend?

The comprehension of this sentence would be deemed easier by the fact that the content in the sentence will be processed independently.

  1. What principle would predict that (B) will be easier to comprehend?

The comprehension of this sentence would be easy in the assumption that all the available information is processed at the same time and is significant to final analysis. The content is interactive.

  1. Which principle do you think should take precedence in this case?

The  first case should take precedence to avoid excessive use of passive voice in sentence construction.

  1. In experiments conducted by Warden (1976), subjects of different ages were asked to look at drawings and construct a story from them. Over half of the 3-year-olds began their stories with structures like (A).
  2. the cat was chasing the bird. The bird flew away from the cat.

In contrast, over 80% of the 9-year old and 100 percent of the adults began their stories with structures like (B).

B.A cat was chasing a bird. The bird flew away from the cat.

NOTE the way that the 3-year olds differ from the older subjects in their use of definite and indefinite articles. What patterns do the older subjects follow that the 3-year olds have not acquired.

Answer

Use of definite and indefinite articles in sentence construction is a critical aspect. From the above scenario, the pattern followed by the older subjects that the 3-year olds have not acquired is use of definite articles in specific reference. The older subjects use the definite articles with specific reference to a certain cat and a specific bird. However, the 3-year olds have used the article in a general pattern.

Language variation

  1. Examine a catalog or website that sells clothing primarily for women (e.g., Talbots) and one that sells clothing primarily for men (e.g., Cabela’s) what differences if any do you notice in their use of color terms?

It is wise noting that women and men use language differently. This difference is notable in these sites since color speaks stronger to women as compared to their fellow men.

Do you need an Original High Quality Academic Custom Essay?