SYNTACTIC ANALYSIS PREFERENCE: HOW FILIPINOS DO WITH GLOBALLY-AMBIGUOUS SENTENCES

Abstract

Although sentence processing has been amply studied, none focused on Filipinos as processors nor on their syntactic analysis preference. Hence, this qualitative-descriptive study determined whether Filipinos prefer the less computationally-demanding approach in processing isolated globally-ambiguous sentences through the garden-path principles. It also ascertained the significant difference in syntactic analysis preferences between two groups of respondents. Utilizing a ten-item dichotomous researcher-developed questionnaire, 54 university students that were selected through a non-random purposive sampling, participated in the investigation that was conducted at Cebu Technological University-Danao Campus. The study yields a preference for minimal attachment and the prevalence of late closure in sentence processing among Filipino university students. This provides fresh evidence from respondents of a different language background, substantiating the Garden-Path Theory that sentence processors opt for the simplest syntactic structure for the meaning of isolated, globally-ambiguous sentences. The same findings have valuable pedagogical implication as such could inform English instructors on the use of just the right linguistic structures with students in instances that necessitate the presentation of isolated sentences in order to ensure that effective classroom communication is optimized.