Parsing preferences and individual differences in nonnative sentence processing: Evidence from eye movements

Abstract Using both offline and online measures, the present study investigates attachment resolution in relative clauses English natives (L1) nonnatives (L2). We test how clause interacts with linguistic factors participant-level individual differences. Previous L1 studies have demonstrated a low preference also an “ambiguity advantage” suggesting that L1ers may not as strong is sometimes claimed. employ similar design to examine this effect L2 comprehension. Offline results indicate groups exhibit preference, positively correlated reading span scores proficiency group. Online suggest groups. However, our data show differences influence for native nonnatives; higher lexical processing efficiency correlates quicker of conflicts. argue current findings during share same mechanisms are modulated by