Lecture Introduction to linguistics: Language and brain. In this chapter, students will be able to understand: Language and brain, the structure of the brain, brain areas involved in language, language disorders, aphasia. | Dr Ansa Hameed Language and Brain Today’s Lecture Language and Brain The structure of the brain Brain Areas Involved in Language Language Disorders Aphasia The Human Brain The brain is composed of neurons, nerve cells that are the basic information processing units of the nervous system. The cerebral cortex is the gray wrinkled mass that sits over the rest of the brain and accounts for language representation and processing. The longitudinal fissure separates the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The corpus callosum is the bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres. FUNCTIONS of the BRAIN HEMISPHERES In terms of muscle movement, each hemisphere is responsible for half of the body – contralateral responsibilities. Right hemisphere -> left side of body Left hemisphere -> right side of the body In terms of higher cognitive functions, the hemispheres are lateralized – Left hemisphere -> analytic tasks Math, Language Right hemisphere -> recognition of complex patterns Faces, Melodies Functions of Brain Hemispheres Lateralization Specialization of brain functions in either left or right hemisphere of the brain Said to occur around puberty More pronounced with right-handed people than left-handed people RH people exhibit language difficulties with damage to the right hemisphere LH people show language representation in both hemispheres Said to contribute to differences between children and adults with respect to second language learning Lateralization Left Hemisphere Dominant: Art Critics Literary Critics Music Critics Right Hemisphere Balanced: Artists Authors Musicians Brain Areas Involved in Language Brain Areas Involved in Language 1. Visual Cortex Receives written words as visual stimulation 2. Angular Gyrus Transforms visual representations in to auditory codes 3. Wernicke’s Area Interprets auditory code 4. Broca’s Area Controls speech muscles via motor cortex 5. Motor Cortex Word is pronounced Right Hemisphere Contribution to Language Since . | Dr Ansa Hameed Language and Brain Today’s Lecture Language and Brain The structure of the brain Brain Areas Involved in Language Language Disorders Aphasia The Human Brain The brain is composed of neurons, nerve cells that are the basic information processing units of the nervous system. The cerebral cortex is the gray wrinkled mass that sits over the rest of the brain and accounts for language representation and processing. The longitudinal fissure separates the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The corpus callosum is the bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres. FUNCTIONS of the BRAIN HEMISPHERES In terms of muscle movement, each hemisphere is responsible for half of the body – contralateral responsibilities. Right hemisphere -> left side of body Left hemisphere -> right side of the body In terms of higher cognitive functions, the hemispheres are lateralized – Left hemisphere -> analytic tasks Math, Language Right hemisphere -> recognition of complex patterns
