Neurobiology of Language and Communication Flashcards

This set covers vocabulary related to the definitions of language and communication, theories of acquisition, the neurobiology of language processing, and various forms of aphasia.

Communication

The movement of information from one place to another; characterized as being dynamic, arbitrary, and grammatical.

Dynamic

A feature of communication indicating that it changes over time.

Arbitrary

A feature of communication where there is no inherent relationship between a word and its meaning, often based on random choice rather than reason.

Grammatical

A feature of communication that follows a series of rules dictating structure and usage.

Language

A rule-bound arrangement of symbols (spoken, written, or signed) used to convey a vast range of thoughts, actions, and concepts.

Phonemes

The most basic sounds of speech, such as the difference between the sounds in "ship" and "sheep."

Morphemes

The most basic unit of meaning, which can include stand-alone words, prefixes, and suffixes.

Words

Distinct, meaningful units of language made of at least one morpheme.

Lexicon

The full set of words belonging to a given language.

Grammar

The system of rules that governs how words are used within a language.

Syntax

The specific rules regarding the organization of words into sentences.

Semantics

The method by which meaning is drawn from groups of morphemes and words/ meaning of language

BF Skinner’s Explanation

The theory that language acquisition occurs through reinforcement, where caregivers provide feedback to vocalizations.

Innate Grammar

Noam Chomsky’s theory that a fundamental structure determined by universal rules exists in the brain to facilitate language acquisition.

Babbling

A natural developmental process where babies practice phoneme formation with their mouth and vocal cords, occurring regardless of whether others are present.

Critical Period

A specific time window during development that constrains language learning and development.

Synaptic Pruning

A widespread reduction in synaptic connections that begins at age $2$ and is largely completed by age $10$, theorized to represent the critical period for language.

Use it = keep it, don’t use it = lose it

Genie

A case study of a child who suffered extreme neglect for $13$ years and never fully acquired language, despite learning some word meanings and basic grammar.

FOXP2 Gene

A gene which, when mutated, causes developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD).

Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia (DVD)

A condition involving speech deficits stemming from an inability to execute complex motor commands involved in speaking, such as breath control and tongue movement.

Planum Temporale

A region on the superior surface of the temporal lobe that is typically larger in the left hemisphere of humans.

Wada Test

A procedure used to establish the lateralization of language by delivering a brief anesthetic to one hemisphere via the carotid artery.

Split-Brain Syndrome

A condition resulting from severing the corpus callosum (often to treat epilepsy), where the two hemispheres can no longer communicate.

Broca’s Area

Located on the left inferior frontal gyrus, this region is specialized for the expression of language.

Broca’s Aphasia

Also called nonfluent aphasia; a condition characterized by difficulty expressing language and producing speech, though comprehension remains intact.

Agrammatism

A symptom of Broca’s aphasia involving difficulty producing grammatical speech.

Anomia

A symptom of Broca’s aphasia involving difficulty finding the correct word.

Wernicke’s Area

Located on the left superior temporal lobe, this region is specialized for the comprehension of language.

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Also called fluent aphasia; a condition where speech is fluid and grammatical but lacks meaning, and patients often lack insight into their symptoms.

Word Deafness

The inability to respond to spoken language, associated with Wernicke’s aphasia.

Word Blindness

The inability to respond to written language, associated with Wernicke’s aphasia.

Global Aphasia

A total loss of language function with a very poor prognosis for recovery.

Arcuate Fasciculus

A tract of axons that connects Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area, allowing them to communicate.

Compensatory Plasticity

A process where other brain regions make up for the loss of function following the destruction of a specific language area.