Language + Lateralization Flashcards
What is lateralization
The division of labour between the two hemispheres (where one hemisphere plays a more important role in a specific function than the other)
Which part(s) plays the most important role in information exchange between the hemispheres
Corpus Callosum (most important)
anterior commissure
hippocampal commissure
a few other small commissures
What is each side more prominent in
Left Hemisphere: language + logic
Right Hemisphere: emotions + sensing + “creativity”
Is it true that you use only one side per function
No, you use both sides but may start at one side
Where is language specialized
Specialized and more developed in the Left hemisphere
Which functions are ipsilateral
Taste and Olfaction
Which hemisphere is involved with Right-handedness
Left hemisphere controls the majority of motor function and the opposite for left-handedness
(either way language is specialized in the left hemisphere)
Which hemisphere is the Planum Temporal larger in
Left side for 65 percent of people
Most animals don’t have this but apes do
What is Productivity in terms of language
Ability to improvise new combination software signals, symbols and info to represent new ideas.
What is Syntax in terms of languages
Rules and combinations to produce grammatical sentences
How is language different from communication
you require language to communicate, much of high level cognition rely on language such as inner monologue
How do chimpanzees use language differently than humans
vocalize while breathing in
use symbols but lacks productivity
symbols primarily used to request and not describe
Where is Broca’s area and Wernickes area located
Broca’s area is located in the anterior part of the temporal lobe and Wernicke’s area is posterior to Broca near the auditory cortex
Describe the general impairments with Broca’s Aphasia
Difficulty articulating words both spoken and sign languages (struggles with producing words but can say simple words with effort)
can understand what is being said to them and read
Will omit grammatical words and endings due to the struggle
Writing is equally effected
are there limitations in understanding for people with Broca’s Aphasia
Yes, Usually with Metaphors (Will take them seriously),
Sarcasm
Subject Vs. Objects (unable to differentiate them)
Describe the general impairments with Wernicke’s Aphasia
Impaired languages comprehension and ability to remember object names
The person can still speak but may not be coherent (proper organization of words but it makes no sense
recognition of items is not impaired
ability to find words is impaired
poor language comprehension -> difficulty understanding speech, writing, and sign language
What is Anomia
difficulty recalling the name of objects
can be a symptom or a form of a specific aphasia
How can Wernicke’s Aphasia patients use intonation
Can use intonation to understand that it is being asked a question or emotions behind a statement but cannot understand what is actually being said.
This is because the right hemisphere is responsible for intonation which can be heightened with impairments to the language areas
What is damage to both Broca and Wernicke’s area called
Global Aphasia
What connects Wernicke’s and Broca’s areas
The arcuate fasciculus
What happens when the arcuate fasciculus is destroyed but both Broca and Wernicke’s areas are still intact
Conduction Aphasia
Can’t repeat what you say but can understand and articulate words properly
What parts of language does the right hemisphere control
Prosody (Intonation) and Emotional Connotation (meaning)
and
Music
What is Amusia
Similar to wernickes aphasia but for music
lesion would be in the equivalent area to Wernicke’s area but on the right hemisphere
-> unable to understand music, instead just sounds like noise.
What happens to intonation if on the rare chance that language is processed in the right hemisphere
Intonation would be on the left hemisphere instead
What are transcortical Aphasia’s
Aphasia’s or Language problems due to lesions outside of the language centres
Can words still be repeated in transcortical aphasia’s
Yes, they can repeat what is being said by mimicking the specific sounds
What is the general definition for Dyslexia
Impairment of reading and/or writing in a person with adequate vision, motivation and cognitive skills
What is Alexia and Agraphia
Alexia -> Inability to read
Agraphia -> inability to write
*you can have one without the other -> lesions to both hemispheres and corpus callosum
What are some potential causes of dyslexia
Abnormalities in the left hemisphere
parts of the right temporal cortex is larger than the left
Problems with auditory memory
impaired eye movement
What are some vernal characteristics of someone who has dyslexia
Instead of ‘b’ they right ‘d’
May write the last syllable of the word first
Write ‘god’ instead of ‘dog’
may reverse sounds
difficulty trading the first consonants of two words (spoonerisms)
abnormalities in attention
What are the differences in children learning language compared to adults
Children excel at learning pronunciation and unfamiliar aspect of grammar
Adults are better at memorizing vocabulary
What could lack of early exposure to language lead to
Complete lack of ability to learn any language
How many languages can a child learn at a time
Can learn two or more at once and could go way past this as well
What differences do we see from people who are bilingual naturally or from a young age vs. bilingual later in life
Bilingual naturally -> activation of the left and right hemisphere when speaking their second language
Bilingual Later in Life -> activation of only the left hemisphere and their hippocampus area
After what age do people rarely gain fluency equal to a native speaker
12
Did humans develop language because we are intelligent or are we intelligent because we developed language
The general consensus is that we are intelligent because we developed language
How do dogs respond to human words
Usually the left hemisphere responds to meaningful words and associate certain words with actions or items, the right hemisphere responds to intonation
