Processing of empty subjects: Evidence from control constructions

Abstract

The phenomenon of control has been central to syntactic theory since its introduction into generative literature. Despite extensive research, much of the work has concentrated on English and a limited range of control constructions. Particularly, previous processing studies have predominantly focused on the role of control verbs, arguing that verb-specific control information is critical for real-time processing of control constructions. However, much less attention has been paid to languages beyond Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) languages, such as Korean.This dissertation broadens our understanding of the control phenomenon by examining real-time processing of control constructions in Korean and English. Six experiments explore (i) whether L1-Korean comprehenders use morphosyntactic cues early in sentences to interpret infinitival empty subjects in Korean control constructions, and (ii) how L1-English comprehenders and L1-Korean L2ers of English interpret adjunct infinitive control constructions in English, with a particular focus on purpose clauses (e.g., Sarah hired Tim to finish the work quickly). Korean, a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) language, requires the matrix verb to appear at the end of the clause, and the embedded verb to be followed by at least one verbal suffix. Notably, specific control verbs select from a range of complementizers. Given these characteristics of Korean, I test the hypotheses that (i) Korean comprehenders use control information encoded in specific embedded verb suffixes to establish referential dependencies between empty subjects and their antecedents, and that (ii) L1-Korean comprehenders’ processing strategies influence their L2 sentence processing. Findings from Experiments 1 through 3 show that complementizers contribute to the interpretation of empty subjects in Korean control constructions by supporting control verbs, and that Korean comprehenders rely on complementizer cues when access to the control verb is limited. Crucially, complementizer cues trigger the interpretation of empty subjects, highlighting their important role in Korean control constructions. Results from Experiments 4 to 6 demonstrate that although advanced L2 learners can exhibit native-like interpretive behaviors in some contexts, their interpretations remain more variable than those of native speakers. For L1-English comprehenders, the data suggest a strong reliance on linear proximity cues when resolving referential dependencies in real-time comprehension of adjunct control constructions. As the first experimental study to investigate the role of complementizers in real-time processing of Korean complement control, this dissertation contributes to the growing body of research on theoretical syntax and sentence processing. The findings provide cross-linguistic evidence that control is not a uniform phenomenon and that no single theoretical framework is able to fully account for cases of control across languages. Furthermore, this dissertation expands the scope of control research by focusing on understudied adjunct control constructions in both L1 and L2 processing.