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Abstract:
We examined auditory ERP responses to correct versus
syntactically incorrect sentences containing word category
violations. In one condition, the sentences consisted of existing
German words (word condition). In a second condition, the content
words were replaced by pseudowords while maintaining morphological
markers (pseudoword condition). The word-pseudoword variation was
realized within participants across sessions. Syntactically
incorrect sentences elicited nearly undistinguishable ERP patterns
for the word and the pseudoword condition: an early anterior
negativity followed by a P600. The only difference between the word
and the pseudoword condition was observed for the syntactically
correct sentences: Real nouns in syntactically correct sentences
elicited a N400 component whereas their place-holders in the
pseudoword condition did not. These results support the notion that
the syntactic ERP components, namely the early anterior negativity
and the P600, are independent of the word's lexical-semantic
information.
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