Categorization of ambiguous sentences as a function of a changing prosodicparameter: A dynamical approach

The present study investigates the dynamics of changes in interpretation of ambiguous sentences. The sentences used had alternative interpretations wi th different, ent surface structures (bracketing). Continua were created by systematic manipulation of prosodic cues (relative foot duration), resulti ng in stimulus sentences that spanned the range between the two interpretat ions. Continua were presented to subjects who were requested to indicate as quickly as possible which meaning they perceived The pattern of responses and response times revealed the presence of hysteresis. That is, when the v alues of prosodic parameters are congruent with both interpretations, the i ndividual's recent history decides which meaning will be perceived. Thus, w e can treat this categorization process as a transition from an initially s table meaning that loses stability with variations in prosody (our control parameter). The same underlying dynamics have been observed in studies of p erception of syllables and aspects of visual perception Apart from demonstr ating the same characteristics of pattern formation at various levels of co gnition, the study points to the usefulness of the dynamical approach in th e investigation of language understanding.