Language Processing as a Precursor to Language Change: Evidence From Icelandic

Abstract

One of the main characteristics of human languages is that they are subject to fundamental changes over time. However, because of the long transitional periods involved, the internal dynamics of such changes are typically inaccessible. Here, we present a new approach to examining language change via its connection to language comprehension. By means of an EEG experiment on Icelandic, a prominent current example of a language in transition, we show that the neurophysiological responses of native speakers already reflect projected changes that are not yet apparent in their overt behavior. Neurocognitive measures thus offer a means of predicting, rather than only retracing, language change.

Keywords: Icelandic; N400; event-related potentials; language change; language comprehension; late positivity.

Figure 1

Acceptability judgements including by-participant (A) and by-item (B) variability. Individual data points represent the mean by-participant/by-item acceptability of the verb and case combination.

Figure 2

Estimated marginal means for the fitted acceptability judgement responses (A) and fitted comprehension question responses (B). Errorbars correspond to 83% confidence intervals.

Figure 3

Grand average ERPs at the critical NP2 position for sentences with active verbs (onset at the dashed vertical line). Negativity is plotted upwards.

Figure 4

Grand average ERPs at the critical NP2 position for sentences with alternating verbs (onset at the dashed vertical line). Negativity is plotted upwards.

Figure 5

Grand average ERPs at the critical NP2 position for sentences with experiencer verbs (onset at the dashed vertical line). Negativity is plotted upwards.

Figure 6

Estimated marginal means for the N400 time window by verb type, case, epoch, and saggitality. Shaded regions indicate 83% confidence intervals.

Figure 7

Estimated marginal means for the late positivity time window by verb type, case, and saggitality. Shaded regions indicate 83% confidence intervals.

Figure 8

Estimated marginal means for the response-contingent analysis of the experiencer verb data in the N400 time window. Shaded regions indicate 83% confidence intervals.

Figure 9

Estimated marginal means for the response-contingent analysis of the experiencer verb data in the late positivity time window. Shaded regions indicate 83% confidence intervals.