Abstract

Two experiments were performed to replicate the results that topic makers had effects on sentence processing(Kim, 1996). In experiment 1, center-embedded relative clause sentences that have topic makers('nun/un') at the first noun were compared to the same structures that have subject case makers('ka/i'). In experiment 2, 'ka/i'-'ka/i' sequence of case markings in the relative structure were compared to 'nun/un'- 'ka/i' sequence in the same structures. The moving-window presentation method were used and self-paced reading times of each words were measured. The results of the two experiments clearly showed that the topic makers significantly changed the syntactic processes. Theoretical models of syntactic ambiguity resolution processes of Korean relative clause sentences were discussed.