Null pronoun interpretation probed via thematic role ambiguity: a case in Korean

Abstract This study investigates how Korean speakers interpret a covert element in an ambiguous double-nominative psych-predicate construction (e.g., Cengmi-ka kekcengsulewun ka pota , ‘Cengmi must be worried/worrisome’). Prior research suggests that the thematic role (experiencer vs. stimulus) assigned to the sole overt NP Cengmi depends on whether the discourse topic shifts or continues, implicating discourse factors in null pronoun interpretation. We conducted a 2 × 2 self-paced reading experiment that manipulated topic status (shift vs. continuation) and thematic role (experiencer vs. stimulus) to probe whether the repeated name penalty (RNP) in the centering theory framework can explain these interpretations, as was argued in previous studies. Results indicate that the immediate penalty predicted by the RNP did not appear; effects emerged only after the psych-predicate, suggesting that simple NP-repetition effects cannot fully account for how participants resolved the ambiguity. Moreover, clear signs of the experiencer reading bias and context-dependent revision were observed. We discuss the implications of the findings and highlight the need for further research to clarify how comprehenders integrate and project discourse structure.