The effect of gender (mis)match on the interpretation of English reflexive pronouns in cases of VP-ellipsis by native and non-native speakers of English

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the effect of both gender (mis)match and the direction of the gender mismatch on the interpretation of English reflexive pronouns in cases of VP-ellipsis by native speakers of English and L1 Spanish learners of English with different proficiency levels (intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced). Results showed that native speakers of English tend to prefer the sloppy reading over the strict one and are sensitive to gender mismatches when interpreting reflexives in VP-ellipsis constructions. Our data support a non-structural account of ellipsis resolution. Concerning learners, no gender mismatch effects were attested, since, in general, their preferred choice of sloppy interpretations was less frequent in both matched and mismatched contexts. Nevertheless, proficiency turned out to be a significant factor in the interpretation of gender-matched sentences, as intermediate learners interpreted the experimental sentences sloppily significantly less frequently than native speakers, whilst advanced learners did not. Finally, all participants showed a more marked preference for sloppy readings in feminine-masculine orderings.