Language and the brain

Detailed review

1. What is a hemisphere, and what is modularity/localization?

2. Who are Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke, and what did they find out?

3. What is Aphasia?4. What is the relationship between brain

development and language development?

Anatomy of the brain

The surface area is called cortex. The brain has a left and right hemisphere. Hemispheres are connected through

Corpus callosum.

What is a hemisphere, and what is modularity/localization?

Modularity is the theory of localized brain functions◦ Phrenology

What is modularity/localization?

Broca: French anatomist/surgeon ◦ Research with patients with language deficits◦ Autopsy showed one area in left hemisphere

Wernicke: German physician◦ Similar research◦ Identified additional area (Wernicke’s Area)

Conclusion: Left brain hemisphere is responsible for Language

Who are Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke, and what did they find out?

Neurological term for disorders that follow brain lesions caused by, for example, strokes.◦ Only on left side

Broca’s Aphasia◦ labored speech, word-finding pauses, disturbed

word order, difficulties with function word ‘to’, ‘if’ Wernicke’s Aphasia

◦ fluently with good intonation & pronunciation but lexical errors: “Jargon aphasia”

What is Aphasia?

Broca’s Area & Wernicke’s Area

Cortex

Corpus callosum

Language learning and brain development go hand in hand.◦ Absence of language slows left hemisphere

development◦ Damage of left hemisphere slows/impairs

language development Children need to be exposed to language

early.

What is the relationship between brain development and language development?

Famous linguist from 20th century First language is acquired, not learned

◦ Children are never taught grammar rules Humans have a LAD

Universal Grammar LAD is in the left hemisphere?

◦ Chomsky denies it

Who is Noam Chomsky, and what is his theory?

Children can only acquire native-like language skills from birth until puberty◦ LAD doesn’t seem to work longer than that◦ Linked to rain development◦ Ducklings

What is the critical age hypothesis?

Abused child◦ Grew up in isolation and abuse

Deteriorated language skills◦ Lack of language exposure

Underdeveloped brain◦ Aphasic-like symptoms◦ Slow and limited language development

Confirms critical age hypothesis Slow and limited language development

Confirms (in part)Chomsky’s theory of LAD

Who is Genie and what does her case prove?