Multiple Subject NPs and Processing Overload

Abstract

This paper concerns the complexity,' and ambiguity in parsing Korean center-embedded sentences and multiple subject constructions. Even though the acceptability of such sentences is influenced by many actors . the experimental results from the previous studies indicate that degree 2 center embedding is generally parsable whereas degree 3 center embedding can be problematic in Korean. There is some conceptual ground for such dichotomy. provided that cent er-embedded sentences and multiple subject constructions share some structural properties. The lack of processing difficulty with a series of subjects up to three is partly due to the fact that potential reanalysis required for completing appropriate structure is classified as a type of structure addition. A series of four subject NPs. however. Can lead to garden path since the problem of indeterminacy may arise in terms of the attachment site of the predicate. and this is the motivation by which we can draw a line between presence and absence of processing overload from multiple subjects.