JOURNAL ARTICLE

The success of Neural Language Models on syntactic island effects is not universal: wh-island sensitivity in English but not in Dutch.

  • Published In: Psychology & Psychiatry Journal, 2026. P. N.PAG 1 of 2

  • Database: Psychology Source 2 of 2

Abstract

The article discusses a study that investigates whether language learning, particularly grammar, necessitates a specific learning capacity or can be accomplished solely through input. The research examines Neural Language Models (NLMs), which learn from input without inherent linguistic representations, and compares their performance to that of human participants in understanding the wh-island constraint in both English and Dutch. Findings indicate that while NLMs can model this constraint in English, they fail to do so in Dutch, challenging the notion that language learning can occur purely from input. The study is presented as a preprint and has not undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. 2026/01, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Language and Linguistics
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:1944-2718
  • Accession Number:191057677
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