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Brain Imaging01:14

Brain Imaging

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Brain imaging technologies provide critical insights into both the structure and function of the human brain, enabling medical professionals and researchers to diagnose, study, and treat neurological disorders or psychiatric disorders more effectively.
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans),  magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),  functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic...
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How native-like can you possibly get: fMRI evidence for processing accent.

Ladan Ghazi-Saidi1, Tanya Dash1, Ana I Ansaldo2

  • 1Centre de Recherche de I'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, University of Montreal Montreal, QC, Canada.

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Summary

Learning a second language (L2) involves mastering pronunciation, with cognates aiding the process. Brain imaging reveals the left insula is crucial for processing foreign accent, even in related languages.

Keywords:
accentbilingualbraininsulasecond language acquisition

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Linguistics
  • Second Language Acquisition

Background:

  • Native-like accent acquisition in a second language (L2) is a late-stage learning process.
  • Linguistic similarities, such as cognates, between a learner's first language (L1) and L2 can facilitate L2 learning.
  • Cognates offer a unique linguistic tool to investigate foreign accent phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the neural correlates of foreign accent processing in L2 learners.
  • To examine the impact of cognates and language relatedness on brain activation during pronunciation tasks.
  • To identify brain regions involved in the production and perception of L2 accent.

Main Methods:

  • Twelve native Spanish (L1) speakers learned French (L2) cognates.
  • Participants practiced native-like pronunciation of L2 cognates using a computerized method.
  • Oral picture-naming tasks were performed during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning.

Main Results:

  • Specific brain activation patterns were observed related to L2 accent processing, even with cognates from related languages.
  • The left insula was identified as a key region for processing foreign accent.
  • Findings align with previous research linking insula damage to foreign accent syndrome and insula activation in L2 learners.

Conclusions:

  • The left insula plays a critical role in foreign accent processing.
  • Accent processing involves the integration of attention, working memory, and motor programming for articulation.
  • Even closely related languages and cognates elicit distinct neural responses related to accent in L2 learners.