语法决定短距离依赖，处理压力影响词汇主干排序
The Grammar Does the Work: Functional vs. Lexical Dependency Length Minimization Across Universal Dependencies
- 区分功能与词汇依赖，发现语法强制局部连接
- 功能依赖均值仅1.71，词汇依赖均值达2.87且波动大
- 适用于语言类型学研究与句法建模，揭示结构演化机制
依存长度最小化（DLM）是广泛存在的语言加工普遍现象，但以往研究仅报告每种语言的平均依存距离（MDD），忽略了不同句法关系类型的差异。本研究分析了122种语言的UD和SUD（v2.17）数据，发现DLM在两个层面运作：由语法驱动的优化针对功能依存（如det、case、aux），其平均长度仅为1.71（σ=0.33），在不同类型语言中保持稳定；由处理驱动的优化则作用于词汇依存（如nsubj、obj、obl），平均长度为2.87（σ=0.63），高度可变，并受语序类型制约。该不对称性在SUD中依然成立（相关系数r=0.92，头方向相反）。结论表明，'语法承担了最小化的工作'——通过局部功能连接构建句子框架，而词汇核心的排列则由处理压力决定。
原文摘要 · Abstract (English)
Dependency length minimization (DLM) is a well-documented processing universal, but previous studies report a single mean dependency distance (MDD) per language, obscuring variation across syntactic relation types. We analyze 122 languages in UD and SUD (version 2.17), showing that DLM operates on two distinct levels. Grammar-driven optimization targets functional dependencies (det, case, aux), which are universally short (mean 1.71, $σ$ = 0.33) and invariant across typologically diverse languages. Processing-driven optimization operates on lexical dependencies (nsubj, obj, obl), which are longer (mean 2.87), highly variable ($σ$ = 0.63), and constrained by word-order typology. This asymmetry holds in SUD despite reversed head direction (r = 0.92). We conclude that ''the grammar does the work'' of minimization by scaffolding sentences with local functional attachments, leaving processing pressures to determine the ordering of lexical heads.
Thank you to arXiv for use of its open access interoperability. PaperDance 不是 arXiv 官方产品；中文卡片由大模型生成，请以原文为准。