Language and BrainLanguage and Brain

Introduction to Linguistics

Introduction Introduction

If language is a human instinct, where is it?

BrainBrainFrontal lobe

SpeechOccipital lobe

VisionCerebellum

MovementParietal lobe

Touch Pons

Breathing and heartbeat

Temporal lobeHearing

Cerebrummemory

Modularity of the brainModularity 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 How do we know that brain modularity does exist?modularity does exist?

EvidenceAphasia

A language disorder produced by brain damage

Major types Broca’s aphasiaWernike’s aphasia

Broca’s aphasia (Expressive aBroca’s aphasia (Expressive aphasia)phasia)

SymptomsUnable to express themselves by more than a single word at a timeContent words are ok; function words are not

Damaged areaThe front regions of the left hemisphere

Example: 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 videoBroca’s aphasia video

Wernike’s aphasia Wernike’s aphasia

Symptoms Fluent speech with no informational valueComprehension is impaired.

Damaged areaTemporal lobe of the left hemisphere

Wernick’s example: 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 videoWernicke’s aphasia video

Conduction aphasiaConduction aphasia

No connection between Broca’s area and Wernike’s areaSymptoms

Be able to understand and product speech, but cannot repeat what they have just heard.

Broca vs. WernickeBroca vs. Wernicke

Broca’s aphasiaPrevents a person from producing speechPerson can understand languageWords are not properly formedSpeech is slow and slurred.

Wernicke’s aphasia

Loss of the ability to understand languagePerson can speak clearly but the words that are put together make no sense.