Language and cortical function: conceptual developments |
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Authors: | Bennett M R Hacker P M S |
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Affiliation: | The Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. maxb@physiol.usyd.edu.au |
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Abstract: | Mastery of a language is a capacity that distinguishes humans from other animals. Attempts to identify the brain functions that are necessary for the possession of linguistic skills began in the 19th century with the research of Broca and Wernicke. We trace the principal experimental developments since then, ranging from psychological studies of aphasic patients to non-invasive brain-imaging investigations. The development of theories concerning word recognition, reading aloud, fluent speech and understanding utterances are described. Possible brain regions involved in these abilities, identified by means of non-invasive imaging, are considered. We examine the various claims made by these researchers as to what their experiments show and in particular examine the validity of their theories. This conceptual analysis shows that in many cases the interpretation of experiments is confused and that the theories elaborated are not tenable. We seek to clarify what can be substantiated concerning the workings of the brain and the exercise of linguistic skills. |
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Keywords: | AG, angular gyrus BA, Brodmann's area fMRI, functional magnetic resonance imaging IFG, inferior frontal gyrus IT, inferior temporal pole PET, positron emission tomography rCBF, regional cerebral blood flow SMA, supplementary motor area SMG, supramarginal gyrus STG, superior temporal gyrus TP, temporal pole |
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