12.2 Neurolinguistics and the brain

Language processing in the brain involves specific regions working together. Broca's area handles speech production, while Wernicke's area manages comprehension. Other areas like the angular gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus play supporting roles in reading and word retrieval.

The left hemisphere dominates language functions for most people, processing grammar and literal meanings. The right hemisphere contributes to nuances like prosody and figurative language. This lateralization can vary, especially in left-handed individuals.

Brain Regions and Language Processing

Brain regions for language processing

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• Broca's area located in frontal lobe controls speech production and language processing (articulation, grammar)
• Wernicke's area found in temporal lobe handles language comprehension and semantic processing (understanding word meanings)
• Arcuate fasciculus white matter tract connects Broca's and Wernicke's areas facilitating communication between language regions
• Angular gyrus situated in parietal lobe aids reading and language comprehension (cross-modal associations)
• Inferior frontal gyrus contains Broca's area supports syntactic processing and word retrieval (sentence structure, vocabulary access)
• Superior temporal gyrus houses Wernicke's area crucial for auditory processing and speech perception (phoneme discrimination)

Left vs right hemisphere language functions

• Left hemisphere dominates language in most people
  • Processes grammar and syntax (sentence structure)
  • Handles literal meanings of words (denotations)
  • Responsible for phonological processing (speech sounds)
• Right hemisphere contributes to language nuances
  • Interprets prosody and intonation (speech melody, emphasis)
  • Processes metaphors and figurative language (idioms, sarcasm)
  • Manages emotional aspects of speech (tone, affect)
• Lateralization of language functions varies
  • Most right-handed individuals show left hemisphere dominance
  • Left-handed people may have more bilateral language representation

Language and the Brain: Advanced Concepts

Neuroplasticity in language learning

• Neuroplasticity allows brain to form new neural connections and reorganize existing ones
• Language learning involves:
  1. Formation of new synaptic connections during acquisition
  2. Strengthening of neural pathways with practice and exposure
• Recovery from brain damage relies on:
  • Recruitment of undamaged brain areas to compensate for lost function (functional reorganization)
  • Reorganization of neural networks to support language recovery (neuronal rewiring)
• Critical periods represent age-related windows of heightened neuroplasticity for language acquisition (childhood language development)
• Factors influencing neuroplasticity include age, extent of damage, type of language impairment, and rehabilitation intensity

Methods for studying neural language basis

• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) measures blood flow changes in brain providing high spatial resolution for localizing language functions (word generation tasks)
• Electroencephalography (EEG) records electrical brain activity offering high temporal resolution for studying language processing (syntactic violation detection)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) measures brain metabolic activity useful for comparing language functions in healthy and impaired individuals
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) non-invasively disrupts language processing in specific brain regions (speech arrest)
• Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) maps white matter tracts to study connectivity between language areas (arcuate fasciculus visualization)
• Magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures magnetic fields from neuronal activity combining good spatial and temporal resolution for language studies (semantic processing time course)