ABSTRACT
We tested the hypothesis that syntactic constraints on spoken word recognition are integrated immediately when they are highly predictive. We used an artificial lexicon paradigm to create a lexicon of nouns (referring to shapes) and adjectives (referring to textures). Each word had phonological competitors in both form classes. We created strong form class expectations by using visual displays that either required adjective use or made adjectives infelicitous. We found evidence for immediate integration of form class expectations based on the pragmatic visual cues: similar-sounding words competed when they were from the same form class, but not when they were from different form classes.
