Separate, Combined or Parallel Routes? An Interdisciplinary Approach to Complex Word Processing

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In contrast to all current models of word processing, the results of my MPhil dissertation (Schwarz&Post, in prep.)suggest that decomposition is attempted even for irregular complex words (e.g. children as the irregular plural of theword child). This poses the need for a re-evaluation of past research and the establishment of a new model that bridgesthe current gap between theoretical linguistics and language psychology. In particular, linguistic theories about themorphological system, which have been ignored previously, should be considered more thoroughly, as they makeconflicting predictions about the nature of mental representations. In my MPhil dissertation I proposed a new wordprocessing model that allows for parallel activation of multiple simultaneous processing routes - an image that does notconcur with current models. My aim is to advance this model and to test if and how decomposition of words is triggeredand executed. For this, I will combine psycholinguistic modeling with a series of behavioural and neurologicalexperiments that examine the possible 'routes' or access mechanisms of complex words. I hope that my research projectwill bring new insight into the psychological and biological reality of linguistic rules and symbols as well as improvecurrent processing models. The findings can be applied to optimise the comprehensibility of texts, better understandlanguage-impairments, and improve language therapy.