Journal article

Publication year: 2005

Pages: 29-55

Journal: Journal of Neurolinguistics

Volume number: 18

Issue number: 1

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroling.2004.10.001

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 

The plural morphology of German is characterised by five different plural allomorphs (-(e)n, -e, -er, -s, zero), partly combined with changes in the vowel (umlaut). While in former studies the -s
plural allomorph is identified as the regular plural, the remaining
forms are categorised as irregular. These observations have been
discussed within the framework of the dual mechanism model. One
component contains a rule for regular inflection; it provides the
default. The second component is designed as a network and hosts
irregular plural forms. However, as noted by several linguists, the
so-called irregular component of German plural morphology is more
structured and contains more predictable plural forms than the dual mechanism model
predicts to be the case. Therefore, some plural forms should be less
dependent on a network system. Using the technique of event-related
potentials, cognitive processing of different irregular German plural
allomorphs is investigated in this study. Comparisons include irregular
allomorphs with low and high predictability, i.e. true irregulars were
compared to subregularities. Indeed, the plural forms identified as
subregulars showed a difference in processing by inducing a reduced N400
over right posterior medial electrodes. Up to date, the dual mechanism model treats different so-called irregular forms alike. But in light of these new findings, the network component of the dual mechanism model needs to be refined.

Harvard Citation style: Bartke, S., Rösler, F., Streb, J. and Wiese, R. (2005) An ERP-study of German "irregular" morphology, Journal of Neurolinguistics, 18(1), pp. 29-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroling.2004.10.001

APA Citation style: Bartke, S., Rösler, F., Streb, J., & Wiese, R. (2005). An ERP-study of German "irregular" morphology. Journal of Neurolinguistics. 18(1), 29-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroling.2004.10.001