Resumptive pronouns facilitate processing of long-distance relative clause dependencies in second language English

This study provides evidence that resumptive pronouns (RPs) can facilitate the processing of long-distance subject relative clause (RC) dependencies during second language (L2) sentence comprehension, even where they are disallowed in both first (L1) and target language. A test group 29 L1-Korean L2 learners (L2ers) English a control 25 native speakers completed an online self-paced reading task (SPRT) offline acceptability judgment (AJT) designed to whether RPs reflect Interlanguage grammar representations and/or strategy alleviate overload. Analysis SPRT data from response times comprehension question accuracy indicates assisted L2ers, but not speakers, with dependency resolution RCs. For AJT data, proficiency effect was observed whereby some lower-proficiency higher-proficiency ones or tended prefer over gaps The implications these findings plans for future research discussed.