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Effect of language switching on arithmetic: a bilingual FMRI study
Vinod Venkatraman1, Soon Chun Siong, Michael W L Chee
1SingHealth Research Facilities, Singapore. vinod.venkatraman@singhealth.com.sg
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
|January 19, 2006
Summary
This study reveals how exact arithmetic relies on language networks, while approximate calculations engage magnitude processing areas. Bilinguals performing tasks in English and Chinese showed distinct brain activity patterns for each type of computation.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psycholinguistics
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- The Triple Code Model posits distinct codes for numerical processing: a verbal code for exact arithmetic and an analog magnitude code for estimation.
- Prior neuroimaging studies suggest language dependence in exact arithmetic but not approximate processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of language in forming arithmetic representations and problem-solving across different languages.
- To directly manipulate language and assess its impact on exact and approximate arithmetic processing.
Main Methods:
- fMRI scans were conducted on 20 English-Chinese bilinguals performing trained exact (base-7 addition) and approximate (percentage estimation) arithmetic tasks.
- Participants completed tasks in both English and Chinese to observe language switching effects.
Main Results:
- Exact addition showed language switching effects in the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) and left inferior parietal lobule/angular gyrus.
- Approximate estimation revealed language switching effects primarily in the bilateral posterior intraparietal sulcus and a more dorsal LIFG region.
Conclusions:
- Exact arithmetic processing is strongly linked to verbal and language-related brain networks.
- Approximate arithmetic processing engages parietal circuits associated with magnitude representation, independent of language.