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Related Concept Videos

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language01:10

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language and Cognition01:27

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Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
Lateralization01:28

Lateralization

Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
Language01:16

Language

Language is a unique communication system that uses words and systematic rules to organize and transmit information. Unlike other forms of communication, which may involve postures, movements, odors, or vocalizations, language relies on symbols and grammar. This makes human communication distinct from that of other species, who also communicate but do not use language in the same way humans do.
Corballis and Suddendorf (2007) and Tomasello and Rakoczy (2003) highlight the role of language in...
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System01:15

Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System

The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
Components of Language01:24

Components of Language

Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs. “eh”). Phonemes combine to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology
05:38

Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology

Published on: June 29, 2021

Interaction between lexical and grammatical language systems in the brain.

Alfredo Ardila1

  • 1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA. ardilaa@fiu.edu

Physics of Life Reviews
|May 26, 2012
PubMed
Summary

This review identifies two core language dimensions: lexical/semantic and grammatical. These systems, supported by distinct brain areas and learning mechanisms, are crucial for understanding language evolution and cognition.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Linguistics

Background:

  • The study of language disturbances after brain damage has historically assumed multiple language functions.
  • This assumption has obscured the distinction between lexical/semantic and grammatical language systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and clarify the two distinct dimensions of language: lexical/semantic and grammatical.
  • To highlight the neurobiological and evolutionary underpinnings of these two systems.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical observations in patients with cerebral pathology.
  • Analysis of neuroimaging and developmental data related to language acquisition and evolution.

Main Results:

  • Clinical data reveal only two primary forms of language disturbance: lexical/semantic and grammatical.
  • These systems are supported by distinct brain regions (temporal for lexical/semantic, frontal for grammatical) in the left hemisphere.
  • Lexical/semantic knowledge relies on declarative memory, while grammatical knowledge uses procedural memory.

Conclusions:

  • Recognizing the dual nature of language (lexical/semantic and grammatical) is essential for cognitive neuroscience.
  • This distinction offers critical insights into language evolution and human cognition.