An appraisal of psycholinguistic models in understanding syntactic ambiguity in Igbo language
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- NGN 5000
Background of the Study
Syntactic ambiguity arises when a sentence can be interpreted in multiple ways due to its grammatical structure. In Igbo—a language with flexible word order and rich morphological markers—syntactic ambiguity presents unique challenges for language comprehension. Psycholinguistic models attempt to explain how individuals resolve such ambiguities through cognitive processes like parsing, context integration, and semantic disambiguation (Ikechukwu, 2023). Traditional models, developed primarily for Indo-European languages, may not fully capture the nuances of Igbo syntax. This study appraises existing psycholinguistic models by applying them to ambiguous Igbo sentences and assessing their explanatory power. Using experimental tasks such as sentence completion and ambiguity resolution exercises, along with reaction time measurements, the research aims to identify the strengths and limitations of current models in the context of Igbo. Findings are expected to contribute to the refinement of psycholinguistic theories by incorporating culturally and linguistically specific variables, thereby improving our understanding of syntactic processing and disambiguation in Igbo (Chukwudi, 2024; Nwankwo, 2025).
Statement of the Problem
Although psycholinguistic models have advanced our understanding of syntactic ambiguity resolution, they often fall short when applied to the Igbo language. The unique syntactic and morphological features of Igbo, such as flexible word order and context-dependent markers, are not fully addressed by models developed for other languages. This inadequacy results in incomplete explanations of how Igbo speakers resolve ambiguous sentences, limiting the effectiveness of these models in both theoretical and applied settings. The gap in research hampers the development of tailored linguistic interventions and educational strategies that can improve language comprehension. It is therefore critical to appraise and refine existing models to better reflect the cognitive processes involved in resolving syntactic ambiguity in Igbo (Ikechukwu, 2023; Chukwudi, 2024).
Objectives of the Study:
1. To evaluate the applicability of current psycholinguistic models to Igbo syntactic ambiguity.
2. To identify specific challenges in resolving ambiguity in Igbo sentences.
3. To propose modifications to existing models for improved explanatory power.
Research Questions:
1. How well do current models explain syntactic ambiguity in Igbo?
2. What challenges do Igbo speakers face when resolving ambiguous sentences?
3. How can psycholinguistic models be refined to better capture Igbo syntactic processing?
Significance of the Study :
This study is significant as it critically appraises psycholinguistic models in the context of Igbo syntactic ambiguity, offering insights to enhance theoretical frameworks and practical applications in language education and processing. The findings will support the development of culturally informed interventions that improve language comprehension (Ikechukwu, 2023; Nwankwo, 2025).
Scope and Limitations of the Study:
This study is limited to appraising psycholinguistic models in understanding syntactic ambiguity in Igbo, focusing on experimental tasks and reaction time measurements.
Definitions of Terms:
• Psycholinguistic Models: Theoretical frameworks describing cognitive processes in language comprehension.
• Syntactic Ambiguity: Uncertainty in sentence meaning due to multiple possible grammatical interpretations.
• Disambiguation: The process of resolving ambiguity to derive a single, coherent meaning.
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