Functional characterization of the language network of polyglots and hyperpolyglots with precision fMRI
Cerebral Cortex,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
34(3)
Published: March 1, 2024
Abstract
How
do
polyglots—individuals
who
speak
five
or
more
languages—process
their
languages,
and
what
can
this
population
tell
us
about
the
language
system?
Using
fMRI,
we
identified
network
in
each
of
34
polyglots
(including
16
hyperpolyglots
with
knowledge
10+
languages)
examined
its
response
to
native
language,
non-native
languages
varying
proficiency,
unfamiliar
languages.
All
conditions
engaged
all
areas
relative
a
control
condition.
Languages
that
participants
rated
as
higher
proficiency
elicited
stronger
responses,
except
for
which
similar
lower
than
proficiency.
Furthermore,
were
typologically
related
participants’
high-to-moderate-proficiency
unrelated
The
results
suggest
network’s
magnitude
scales
degree
engagement
linguistic
computations
(e.g.
lexical
access
syntactic-structure
building).
We
also
replicated
prior
finding
weaker
responses
non-polyglot
bilinguals.
These
contribute
our
understanding
how
multiple
coexist
within
single
brain
provide
new
evidence
responds
strongly
stimuli
fully
engage
computations.
Language: Английский
Constructed languages are processed by the same brain mechanisms as natural languages
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
122(12)
Published: March 17, 2025
What
constitutes
a
language?
Natural
languages
share
features
with
other
domains:
from
math,
to
music,
gesture.
However,
the
brain
mechanisms
that
process
linguistic
input
are
highly
specialized,
showing
little
response
diverse
nonlinguistic
tasks.
Here,
we
examine
constructed
(conlangs)
ask
whether
they
draw
on
same
neural
as
natural
or
instead
pattern
domains
like
math
and
programming
languages.
Using
individual-subject
fMRI
analyses,
show
understanding
conlangs
recruits
areas
language
comprehension.
This
result
holds
for
Esperanto
(n
=
19
speakers)
four
fictional
[Klingon
10),
Na’vi
9),
High
Valyrian
3),
Dothraki
3)].
These
findings
suggest
critical
allow
them
representations
computations,
implemented
in
left-lateralized
network
of
areas.
The
differentiate
languages—including
recent
creation
by
single
individual,
often
an
esoteric
purpose,
small
number
speakers,
fact
these
typically
learned
adulthood—appear
not
be
consequential
reliance
cognitive
mechanisms.
We
argue
shared
feature
is
symbolic
systems
capable
expressing
open-ended
range
meanings
about
our
outer
inner
worlds.
Language: Английский
The entire brain, more or less, is at work: ‘Language regions’ are artefacts of averaging
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Sept. 3, 2023
Abstract
Models
of
the
neurobiology
language
suggest
that
a
small
number
anatomically
fixed
brain
regions
are
responsible
for
functioning.
This
observation
derives
from
centuries
examining
injury
causing
aphasia
and
is
supported
by
decades
neuroimaging
studies.
The
latter
rely
on
thresholded
measures
central
tendency
applied
to
activity
patterns
resulting
heterogeneous
stimuli.
We
hypothesised
these
methods
obscure
whole
distribution
supporting
language.
Specifically,
cortical
‘language
regions’
corresponding
network’
consist
input
connectivity
hubs.
primarily
coordinate
peripheral
whose
variable,
making
them
likely
be
averaged
out
following
thresholding.
tested
hypotheses
in
two
studies
using
meta-analyses
functional
magnetic
resonance
imaging
during
film
watching.
Both
converged
averaging
over
words
localised
historically
associated
with
but
distributed
throughout
most
when
not
sensorimotor
properties
those
words.
word
composed
highly
data
shows
hubs
fixed.
Rather,
they
spatiotemporally
dynamic,
connections
44%
at
any
moment,
only
appear
aggregate
time.
Results
an
artefact
indiscriminately
across
representations
linguistic
processes.
mostly
dynamic
coordinating
whole-brain
distributions
networks
processing
complexities
real-world
use,
explaining
why
damage
results
aphasia.
Language: Английский
Functional characterization of the language network of polyglots and hyperpolyglots with precision fMRI
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 19, 2023
Abstract
How
do
polyglots—individuals
who
speak
five
or
more
languages—process
their
languages,
and
what
can
this
population
tell
us
about
the
language
system?
Using
fMRI,
we
identified
network
in
each
of
34
polyglots
(including
16
hyperpolyglots
with
knowledge
10+
languages)
examined
its
response
to
native
language,
non-native
languages
varying
proficiency,
unfamiliar
languages.
All
conditions
engaged
all
areas
relative
a
control
condition.
Languages
that
participants
rated
as
higher-proficiency
elicited
stronger
responses,
except
for
which
similar
lower
than
proficiency.
Furthermore,
were
typologically
related
participants’
high-to-moderate-proficiency
unrelated
The
results
suggest
network’s
magnitude
scales
degree
engagement
linguistic
computations
(e.g.,
lexical
access
syntactic-structure
building).
We
also
replicated
prior
finding
weaker
responses
non-polyglot
bilinguals.
These
contribute
our
understanding
how
multiple
co-exist
within
single
brain
provide
new
evidence
responds
strongly
stimuli
fully
engage
computations.
Language: Английский
Does Orkish Sound Evil? Perception of Fantasy Languages and Their Phonetic and Phonological Characteristics
Language and Speech,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 29, 2023
Constructed
languages,
frequently
invented
to
support
world-building
in
fantasy
and
science
fiction
genres,
are
often
intended
sound
similar
the
characteristics
of
people
who
speak
them.
The
aims
this
study
(1)
investigate
whether
some
fictional
such
as
Orkish
whose
speakers
portrayed
villainous,
rated
more
negatively
by
listeners
than,
for
example,
Elvish
even
when
they
all
produced
without
emotional
involvement
voice;
(2)
rating
results
can
be
related
structure
languages
under
investigation.
An
online
experiment
with
three
7-point
semantic
differential
scales
was
conducted,
which
sentences
from
each
12
(Neo-Orkish,
Quenya,
Sindarin,
Khuzdul,
Adûnaic,
Klingon,
Vulcan,
Atlantean,
Dothraki,
Na'vi,
Kesh,
ʕuiʕuid)
were
rated,
spoken
a
female
male
speaker.
129
participants
indicate
that
Klingon
Dothraki
do
indeed
unpleasant,
evil,
aggressive
than
Sindarin
Quenya.
Furthermore,
difference
is
predicted
certain
structure,
percentage
non-German
sounds
voicing.
implications
these
discussed
relation
theories
language
attitude.
Language: Английский