Memory Retrieval Effects on Filler-Gap Processing

In this paper, I argue that the retrieval of filler-phrases in syntactic filler-gap dependencies is facilitated by encoding more information in the filler-phrase. Three self-paced reading experiments provide the evidence for this memory facilitation hypothesis: reading times decrease when more explicit whphrases and indefinites occur as fillers in three different syntactic constructions. Crucially, the decrease in reading times becomes visible only at the point of memory retrieval, i.e. the gap site. There is no effect of the amount of information encoded in the filler-phrase prior to the retrieval site.