Investigating brain responses to topicalization processing in Persian based on Friederici’s model

The ability to move elements within a sentence structure, known as topicalization, is a fundamental characteristic of natural languages and plays a crucial role in discourse analysis and understanding. In Persian, interrogative complements generally appear in a post-object position and can be moved to different locations within a sentence, significantly impacting discourse and communicative dynamics. This syntactic flexibility is particularly relevant for creating marked structures that serve specific communicative functions, such as emphasizing or clarifying information.This study’s primary aim is to examine how the brain processes the movement of interrogative complements to the sentence-initial position in Persian, utilizing ERPs to capture the neural responses associated with this syntactic operation. The focus is on the N200 component, a neural marker associated with detecting syntactic anomalies and structural parsing, located in the left anterior region of the brain. Friederici’s language processing model, postulating that this component is crucial for structural information processing, provides the theoretical framework for this investigation.

Four different syntactic conditions, each involving repositioning the interrogative complement, were designed to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying topicalization in Persian. For each condition, 50 sentences were created, resulting in a total of 200 sentences. These sentences were presented to participants on a computer screen in a controlled experimental setting. Participants were instructed to read the sentences silently while maintaining minimal facial and lip movement to ensure the accuracy of the electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings.The experimental procedure involved displaying sentences one at a time, each being broken down into constituent phrases. Participants’ brain responses were recorded using a 64-electrode EEG cap, focusing on the N200 component. The primary task for participants was to comprehend the sentences without vocalizing them, thereby isolating the cognitive processes involved in syntactic parsing and comprehension.The EEG data were preprocessed to remove artifacts and noise, ensuring that the recorded ERPs accurately reflected the brain’s response to the syntactic manipulations. The analysis focused on the N200 component, which was expected to show variations in amplitude depending on the syntactic condition. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS-27 software, comparing the ERP responses across the different conditions to identify significant differences in brain activity related to the topicalization of interrogative complements.

The findings reveal that the topicalization of interrogative complements in Persian leads to distinct neural responses, as evidenced by variations in the N200 component. Specifically, when the interrogative complement is moved to the beginning of the sentence, there is a significant increase in the N200 amplitude in the left anterior region of the brain. This suggests that the brain recognizes this syntactic movement as a marked structure, requiring additional cognitive resources for processing.These results support the hypothesis that the topicalization process in Persian is not merely a surface-level syntactic change but involves deeper neurophysiological mechanisms. The increased N200 amplitude indicates that the brain engages in more intensive structural parsing and anomaly detection when dealing with sentences that deviate from the canonical SOV order.The study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of language processing and the neurobiological basis of syntax. The increased N200 amplitude associated with the topicalization of interrogative complements suggests that the brain’s response to syntactic movement is consistent with Friederici’s language processing model. This model posits that the left anterior region of the brain plays a crucial role in handling structural information and detecting syntactic anomalies.Moreover, the study highlights the importance of marked structures in communication. By repositioning interrogative complements to the beginning of a sentence, speakers can create emphasis and clarity, facilitating more effective discourse. The neural evidence provided by this study underscores the cognitive effort involved in processing these marked structures, reflecting the brain’s capacity to adapt to syntactic variability in language.In addition, the findings contribute to the broader field of psycholinguistics by providing empirical evidence of the neurophysiological processes underlying syntactic movement. This research bridges the gap between linguistic theory and cognitive neuroscience, demonstrating how abstract syntactic operations are realized in the brain.

In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence that the topicalization of interrogative complements in Persian involves distinct neurophysiological processes, as indicated by variations in the N200 component. The results align with Friederici’s language processing model, highlighting the brain’s role in structural parsing and anomaly detection. These findings enhance our understanding of the cognitive mechanisms underlying language processing and underscore the significance of marked structures in communication.The implications of this research extend beyond Persian, offering insights into the universal principles of syntax and discourse processing in natural languages. By elucidating the neural basis of topicalization, this study contributes to the broader endeavor of understanding the intricate relationship between language and the brain.