Mode variation in clausal complexity in German and Persian

Abstract

This paper revisits the question of mode as an influencing factor for variation in clausal complexity. In a comparative corpus study using the Lang*Reg corpus, clausal embedding is compared between the phonic and graphic mode produced by the same language users with the same linguistic content in German and Persian. The corpus study reveals that mode affects syntactic complexity in terms of clausal embedding in Persian as well as in German. Participants used a higher number and higher depth of clausal embedding in the written storytelling context compared to the oral storytelling context. With respect to types of embedded clauses, the study shows that language users mainly increase their use of adverbial clauses but not complement or nominal dependent clauses due to mode.