Language and Brain Introduction to Linguistics Introduction If

Language and Brain Introduction to Linguistics

Introduction If language is a human instinct, where is it?

Brain Frontal lobe Speech Occipital lobe Vision Cerebellum Movement Parietal lobe Touch Pons Breathing and heartbeat Temporal lobe Hearing Cerebrum memory

Modularity of the brain The brain is composed of different areas of physical and cognitive functions. Each area of function is a module.

How do we know that brain modularity does exist? Evidence Aphasia A language disorder produced by brain damage Major types Broca’s aphasia Wernike’s aphasia

Broca’s aphasia (Expressive aphasia) Symptoms Unable to express themselves by more than a single word at a time Content words are ok; function words are not Damaged area The front regions of the left hemisphere

Example: Yes…ah…Monday…er…dad and Peter…, and Dad…er…hospital…and ah…Wednesday…Wednesda, nine o’clcok…and oh…Thursday…ten o’clock, ah doctors… two…doctors…and…teeth.

Broca’s aphasia video

Wernike’s aphasia Symptoms Fluent speech with no informational value Comprehension is impaired. Damaged area Temporal lobe of the left hemisphere

Wernick’s example: Well this is…mother is away here working her work out to get her better, but when she’s looking, the tow boys looking in the other part. Onte their small tile into her time here. She’s working another time because she’s getting, too…

Wernicke’s aphasia video

Conduction aphasia No connection between Broca’s area and Wernike’s area Symptoms Be able to understand product speech, but cannot repeat what they have just heard.

Broca vs. Wernicke Broca’s aphasia Prevents a person from producing speech Person can understand language Words are not properly formed Speech is slow and slurred. Wernicke’s aphasia Loss of the ability to understand language Person can speak clearly but the words that are put together make no sense.