Active Gap Filling and Island Constraint in Processing the Mandarin “Gap-Type” Topic Structure

There is a long-standing debate concerning whether Mandarin topic constructions are movement-derived and form filler-gap dependency like the English-type topicalization. This ERP study explores this issue by testing island constraints, diagnostic for movement, actively observed during online processing of “gap-type” construction, an understudied area in sentence research. Following paradigm Traxler Pickering's 1996 study, we manipulated islandhood (relative clause conditions vs. no conditions) plausibility, or plausible object potential subcategorizing verb based on animacy fit (i.e., “greet teacher” file”) 2 × design. We predict that any plausibility effect obtained non-island would disappear if parser observes constraint avoids positing gaps inside island. P600-previously found violations-for but not conditions. Additionally, positive-going component occurring from 588 to 792 ms at fronto-central site condition gap site. While novel ERP's interpretation yet be determined, it unlikely indicate effect. Our findings suggest sensitive constraints structure, lend support movement analysis