Behavioural dimensions reveal lead-lag patterns in the cognitive internalization of permissive subjects in English, Dutch, and German

Renzel, A.; De Vogelaer, G.; Bölte, J.

Zusammenfassung

Functional approaches to language propose that grammatical patterns emerge from efficiency-related pressures in language usage. Recent work further emphasizes that variation and change in grammatical properties may arise from interactions among different dimensions of linguistic behaviour reflecting language usage, including acceptability and online processing. The present study adopts a combined-method approach by conducting an experiment that integrates speeded acceptability judgements with self-paced reading to examine how these behavioural dimensions interact and relate to cross-linguistic grammatical variation in three closely related West Germanic languages: English, Dutch and German. Focussing on permissive subjects, we examine how acceptability, decision dynamics and processing cost pattern across languages and construction types. The results reveal a systematic cross-linguistic gradient, with English and Dutch showing lower processing cost and higher acceptance of permissive subjects than German. The behavioural dimensions systematically reflect typological patterns but differ in how human cognition internalizes them, revealing a lead-lag relationship. Processing efficiency forms the leading edge of internalization, followed by acceptability. The observed asymmetry in usage preferences supports a scenario suggesting a gradual pathway from processing efficiency to linguistic uncertainty in acceptability and grammatical change.