The syntax-first processing theory has a great deal of behavioral and electrophysiological support. So, you could say that it is one of the major approaches for explaining sentence comprehension. However, it is not the only view. There is a family of models, collectively known as constraint-based models, that pose an alternative view (see Fuster, 1995). In brief, these models propose that syntactic and semantic processes interact during sentence comprehension, rather than syntactic structure first and semantics second.

These models are called "constraint" models because they argue for a probabilistic constraint satisfaction where syntactic knowledge is just one of several constraints on comprehension. For instance, in this approach, it could be that syntax guides the direction of processing when syntactic cues are sufficient for comprehension. However, situations have been found where semantic knowledge influences, and even overrides, syntax.

Here are some papers to check out:

Kim & Osterhout (2005). The independence of combinatory semantic processing: Evidence from event-related potentials.

Kuperberg et al. (2003). Electrophysiological distinctions in processing conceptual relationships within simple sentences.

Hoeks et al. (2004). Seeing words in context: the interaction of lexical and sentence level information during reading.

Thanks @BlaineTomkins for your comments.

Depends on the role of syntax in a specific language.

Blaine Tomkins Thank you for your reply. I am trying to find the original paper that proposed the syntax-first model, but I am unable to find such paper on the internet. If I am to cite the syntax-model in my paper, which paper would you say that should I cite? Thank you,

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I think the general consensus from ERP and behavioural studies is an interactive model is more supported. Most of the evidence for syntax-first models comes from pretty old studies that have been challenged by newer studies, have failed to replicate, or have methodological issues (e.g., any eLAN study).

Hyunjin Cho Oh boy, I can't recall the original papers off the top of my head, but the idea of giving a primary role to syntactic mechanisms (and a secondary role to semantic components) goes all the way back to the earlier work/models of Chomsky - Aspects of the Theory of Syntax.

Blaine Tomkins Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it :)

One should read the following article.

Article Psychological Model of Phonosemantics

Pramod Kumar Agrawal