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Hierarchical processing of continuous natural language: From monologue to conversation
1State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, China.
Brain and Language
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Hierarchical processing of language, including conversation, occurs across multiple timescales. Neural signatures for conversational units like turns are more apparent at the dyadic level than individually.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Linguistics
- Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive neuroscience indicates linguistic information is processed hierarchically across timescales.
- Most studies focus on monologic language, leaving conversational hierarchical processing unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence on hierarchical processing in continuous natural language.
- To investigate if hierarchical processing extends to naturalistic conversation.
- To explore neural underpinnings of conversational language processing.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of theoretical frameworks from linguistics and cognitive science.
- Integration of empirical evidence from neuroimaging studies.
- Analysis of recent hyperscanning research on dyadic interactions.
Main Results:
- Both monologic and conversational language show hierarchical organization (words, sentences).
- Conversational language includes interaction-dependent units (turns, topics) and interpersonal mechanisms (alignment, grounding).
- Hyperscanning reveals dyadic-level neural signatures for conversational units.
Conclusions:
- Hierarchical organization is a general property of continuous natural language.
- Conversational language processing exhibits unique, interaction-dependent neural expressions.
- Future research should focus on dyadic neural dynamics in conversation.
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