Chapter 19: Language Flashcards
What is language
rule-based system of communication that can be oral, visual, olfactory to convey information
What are the core language skills
- categorizing
- category labeling
- sequencing behaviours
- mimicry
Define categorization as a core language skill
necessary to categorize information because of the extreme amounts of sensory information that is received to create a single perception of reality
Define labeling categories as a core language skill
this process of categorization can stimulate the production of word forms about that concept/category
includes identifying the category and also organizing information within that category (ex. within category “tools” our brain organizes hammers as a noun)
Define sequencing behaviours as a core language skill
transitional larynx movements, LH structures associated with language form, also sequence face, body, arm movements
Define mimicry as a core language skill
babies prefer listening to speech then other sounds
mimicking speech, children may adda as many as 60 new words
What are the basic theories of the origins of language
- continuity
- discontinuity
Define continuity theory of language
that language evolved gradually. It began with similarities in the genes and behaviours of our ancestors which changed in unique ways to humans that eventually became language
Define discontinuity theory of language
that language evolved rapidly and appeared suddenly in modern humans
What is the role of social group size in language
is important in how language develops and how we use it
primates have limits on group sizes, but language can manage larger groups up to 50
What is the McGurk effect
“seeing sounds”
That we understand language much better if we can see the face
speaker is mouthing ga, but hearing da, the listener hears ga
What can be concluded from studies of language-like processes in apes (Lana)
- can teach apes to speak, but like humans learn, we need to teach them as a chimp and not an adult
- ability to learn ASL to communicate ideas
- apes can learn using tokens - symbolic communication
- an ape was trained, and her child observed, child did better than the mother - need to start early and abilities can be acquired naturally, not through direct training
What is the evidence for localization of language
- most of the brain takes part in language one way or another
What role does the RH play in language
storytelling
What is the one important ability that the RH cannot do (in right-handed people)
syntactic language is all in the LH
(rule s and structures to construct sentences - grammar, punctuation, sentence structure)
What are the effects of brain stimulation on language
can lead to both disruption and enhancement
electrical stimulation (ex. of broca’s area), can result in speech disruption such as speech arrest, hesitation, distortion
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) show different areas of Broca’s area are in charge of different aspects of language - anterior = impairs semantic processing, posterior = impairs phonological processing
potential benefit of priming neurons
What are the effects of lesions on language
damage to broca’s and wernicke’s area result in chronic aphasia
also result in anomia, cannot name an object
damage to sensory and motor areas of speech result in transient aphasia (temporary language impairment)
What do PET and fMRI studies tell us about language that is different from the Wernicke-Geschwind model
What do TMS studies show about the two major regions of Broca’s area
distinguishing between roles of anterior and posterior of broca’s area
anterior = stimulation increases reaction time in semantic processing tasks (understand meaning)
posterior = stimulation increases reaction time of phonological tasks (production and recognition of speech sounds)
How extensive is the posterior language zone beyond wernicke’s area
What are the two broad classes of disorders of language
disorders of comprehension
disorders of production
In what ways can the same word be represented in >1 cortical area
semantic, phonological, motor, contextual, emotional, motor-sensory representation
Distinguish between the dual language pathways
dorsal language pathway = phonological processing, transforming sound information into motor representations
ventral language pathway = semantic processing, meaning of words. links phonological to semantic
What are the two general symptoms of language disorders
What are the two general types of aphasias
agraphia = disorder in writing
alexia = disorder in reading
Outline the Geschwind-Wernicke model of language. Why can it not be correct?
simplified pathway for how the brain processes language:
speech comprehension in wernicke’s area, then transferred via the arcuate fasciculus to Broca’s area where it is translated into speech production
displays it as linear which is not true, other regions beyond only wernickes and brocas area are involved, does not account for cognitive aspects
What is a more modern version of the Geschwind-Wernicke model that includes more than one pathway?
What does each pathway do?
dual language pathway model
dorsal and ventral pathways that operate in parallel
dorsal = phonological processing
ventral = semantic processing
Automatic language is believed to be located where
basal ganglia
How do we assess aphasia
test batteries = range of subtests of visual, auditory, oral, fluency, repetition, etc.
screening tests = rapid method though not as detailed
speech timing analysis = measuring timing pauses in speech
brain imaging = accurate localization of lesions
Summarize the evidence for localization of language
crucial areas of broca’s and wernicke’s
also premotor cortex shows role in semantic and word association
primarily in LH
What is the evidence that most of the cortex takes part in language in one way or another
damage to areas aside from brocas and wernickes still show deficits in language
large areas of the cortex are active in fMRI and PET scans
semantic network involves posterior and frontal cortex
semantic representations are distributed among cortex
What is the RH contribution to language
storytelling/narrative
What are 2 language networks for language
semantic network = contribute meaning of words and sentences. key regions in posterior and frontal cortex
brain dictionary = organizes representation of objects and actions, spreads these concepts across semantic maps in multiple brain regions (PFC, MPC, LTC, AC)
What is the story of the role of FOX P2 gene and what regions of the brain are different
identified as linked to language deficits in a family with speech impairments
regulates motor control for speech, grammar, and language processing
mutations affect broca’s area, basal ganglia, and cerebellum
decreased brain matter, motor and face areas are different, angular gyrus is different
Distinguish between fluent and nonfluent aphasias
fluent aphasia = produce fluent speech but have difficulty understanding or repeating (posterior cortical damage)
nonfluent = difficulty articulating speech, but has good comprehension (anterior cortical damage)
What causes alexia or dyslexia
alexia = reading disorder, result from brain injury, stroke, neurological disorder to LH to angular gyrus
