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Wu J, Cheng Y, Qu X, Kang T, Cai Y, Wang P, Zaccarella E, Friederici AD, Hartwigsen G, Chen L. Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation on the Left Posterior Inferior Frontal Gyrus Perturbs Complex Syntactic Processing Stability in Mandarin Chinese. NEUROBIOLOGY OF LANGUAGE (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 5:608-627. [PMID: 38939729 PMCID: PMC11210936 DOI: 10.1162/nol_a_00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The structure of human language is inherently hierarchical. The left posterior inferior frontal gyrus (LpIFG) is proposed to be a core region for constructing syntactic hierarchies. However, it remains unclear whether LpIFG plays a causal role in syntactic processing in Mandarin Chinese and whether its contribution depends on syntactic complexity, working memory, or both. We addressed these questions by applying inhibitory continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) over LpIFG. Thirty-two participants processed sentences containing embedded relative clauses (i.e., complex syntactic processing), syntactically simpler coordinated sentences (i.e., simple syntactic processing), and non-hierarchical word lists (i.e., word list processing) after receiving real or sham cTBS. We found that cTBS significantly increased the coefficient of variation, a representative index of processing stability, in complex syntactic processing (esp., when subject relative clause was embedded) but not in the other two conditions. No significant changes in d' and reaction time were detected in these conditions. The findings suggest that (a) inhibitory effect of cTBS on the LpIFG might be prominent in perturbing the complex syntactic processing stability but subtle in altering the processing quality; and (b) the causal role of the LpIFG seems to be specific for syntactic processing rather than working memory capacity, further evidencing their separability in LpIFG. Collectively, these results support the notion of the LpIFG as a core region for complex syntactic processing across languages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Wu
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yao Cheng
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xingfang Qu
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianmin Kang
- Department of Psychology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
| | - Yimin Cai
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Emiliano Zaccarella
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Angela D. Friederici
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gesa Hartwigsen
- Lise Meitner Research Group Cognition and Plasticity, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Wilhelm Wundt Institute for Psychology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Luyao Chen
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Educational System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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2
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Sun C, Zhang J, Bu L, Lu J, Yao Y, Wu J. A speech fluency brain network derived from gliomas. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae153. [PMID: 38756538 PMCID: PMC11098038 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The brain network of speech fluency has not yet been investigated via a study with a large and homogenous sample. This study analysed multimodal imaging data from 115 patients with low-grade glioma to explore the brain network of speech fluency. We applied voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping to identify domain-specific regions and white matter pathways associated with speech fluency. Direct cortical stimulation validated the domain-specific regions intra-operatively. We then performed connectivity-behaviour analysis with the aim of identifying connections that significantly correlated with speech fluency. Voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping analysis showed that damage to domain-specific regions (the middle frontal gyrus, the precentral gyrus, the orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus and the insula) and white matter pathways (corticospinal fasciculus, internal capsule, arcuate fasciculus, uncinate fasciculus, frontal aslant tract) are associated with reduced speech fluency. Furthermore, we identified connections emanating from these domain-specific regions that exhibited significant correlations with speech fluency. These findings illuminate the interaction between domain-specific regions and 17 domain-general regions-encompassing the superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus and rolandic operculum, superior temporal gyrus, temporal pole, inferior temporal pole, middle cingulate gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, inferior parietal lobe, as well as subcortical structures such as thalamus-implicating their collective role in supporting fluent speech. Our detailed mapping of the speech fluency network offers a strategic foundation for clinicians to safeguard language function during the surgical intervention for brain tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cechen Sun
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health & National Clinical Research Centre for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 201107, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Linghao Bu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 201107, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Junfeng Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 201107, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Ye Yao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health & National Clinical Research Centre for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jinsong Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 201107, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
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3
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Zhang Y, Taft M, Tang J, Li L. Neural correlates of semantic-driven syntactic parsing in sentence comprehension. Neuroimage 2024; 289:120543. [PMID: 38369168 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
For sentence comprehension, information carried by semantic relations between constituents must be combined with other information to decode the constituent structure of a sentence, due to atypical and noisy situations of language use. Neural correlates of decoding sentence structure by semantic information have remained largely unexplored. In this functional MRI study, we examine the neural basis of semantic-driven syntactic parsing during sentence reading and compare it with that of other types of syntactic parsing driven by word order and case marking. Chinese transitive sentences of various structures were investigated, differing in word order, case making, and agent-patient semantic relations (i.e., same vs. different in animacy). For the non-canonical unmarked sentences without usable case marking, a semantic-driven effect triggered by agent-patient ambiguity was found in the left inferior frontal gyrus opercularis (IFGoper) and left inferior parietal lobule, with the activity not being modulated by naturalness factors of the sentences. The comparison between each type of non-canonical sentences with canonical sentences revealed that the non-canonicity effect engaged the left posterior frontal and temporal regions, in line with previous studies. No extra neural activity was found responsive to case marking within the non-canonical sentences. A word order effect across all types of sentences was also found in the left IFGoper, suggesting a common neural substrate between different types of parsing. The semantic-driven effect was also observed for the non-canonical marked sentences but not for the canonical sentences, suggesting that semantic information is used in decoding sentence structure in addition to case marking. The current findings illustrate the neural correlates of syntactic parsing with semantics, and provide neural evidence of how semantics facilitates syntax together with other information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Center for the Cognitive Science and Language, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Marcus Taft
- Center for the Cognitive Science and Language, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Jiaman Tang
- Center for the Cognitive Science and Language, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Le Li
- Center for the Cognitive Science and Language, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing 100083, PR China.
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Arrigoni E, Rappo E, Papagno C, Romero Lauro LJ, Pisoni A. Neural Correlates of Semantic Interference and Phonological Facilitation in Picture Naming: A Systematic Review and Coordinate-Based Meta-analysis. Neuropsychol Rev 2024:10.1007/s11065-024-09631-9. [PMID: 38319529 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-024-09631-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Semantic interference (SI) and phonological facilitation (PF) effects occur when multiple representations are co-activated simultaneously in complex naming paradigms, manipulating the context in which word production is set. Although the behavioral consequences of these psycholinguistic effects are well-known, the involved brain structures are still controversial. This paper aims to provide a systematic review and a coordinate-based meta-analysis of the available functional neuroimaging studies investigating SI and PF in picture naming paradigms. The included studies were fMRI experiments on healthy subjects, employing paradigms in which co-activations of representations were obtained by manipulating the naming context using semantically or phonologically related items. We examined the principal methodological aspects of the included studies, emphasizing the existing commonalities and discrepancies across single investigations. We then performed an exploratory coordinate-based meta-analysis of the reported activation peaks of neural response related to SI and PF. Our results consolidated previous findings regarding the involvement of the left inferior frontal gyrus and the left middle temporal gyrus in SI and brought out the role of bilateral inferior parietal regions in PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Arrigoni
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 29100, Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Eleonora Rappo
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Costanza Papagno
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Center (CeRiN), University of Trento, Via Matteo del Ben 5/b Bettini 31, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Leonor J Romero Lauro
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Alberto Pisoni
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, MI, Italy.
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Tang X, Zhang J, Liu L, Yang M, Li S, Chen J, Ma Y, Zhang J, Liu H, Lu C, Ding G. Distinct brain state dynamics of native and second language processing during narrative listening in late bilinguals. Neuroimage 2023; 280:120359. [PMID: 37661079 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of complex cognition, which includes language processing, is dynamic in nature and involves various network modes or cognitive modes. This dynamic process can be manifested by a set of brain states and transitions between them. Previous neuroimaging studies have shed light on how bilingual brains support native language (L1) and second language (L2) through a shared network. However, the mechanism through which this shared brain network enables L1 and L2 processing remains unknown. This study examined this issue by testing the hypothesis that L1 and L2 processing is associated with distinct brain state dynamics in terms of brain state integration and transition flexibility. A group of late Chinese-English bilinguals was scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while listening to eight short narratives in Chinese (L1) and English (L2). Brain state dynamics were modeled using the leading eigenvector dynamic analysis framework. The results show that L1 processing involves more integrated states and frequent transitions between integrated and segregated states, while L2 processing involves more segregated states and fewer transitions. Our work provides insight into the dynamic process of narrative listening comprehension in late bilinguals and sheds new light on the neural representation of language processing and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Beijing 102600, China
| | - Lanfang Liu
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519087, China; Center for Cognition and Neuroergonomics, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519087, China.
| | - Menghan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH 03755, USA
| | - Shijie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yumeng Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30322, USA
| | - Jia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; School of Psychology, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Haiyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chunming Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Guosheng Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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6
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Faroqi-Shah Y. A reconceptualization of sentence production in post-stroke agrammatic aphasia: the synergistic processing bottleneck model. FRONTIERS IN LANGUAGE SCIENCES 2023; 2:1118739. [PMID: 39175803 PMCID: PMC11340809 DOI: 10.3389/flang.2023.1118739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The language production deficit in post-stroke agrammatic aphasia (PSA-G) tends to result from lesions to the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) and is characterized by a triad of symptoms: fragmented sentences, errors in functional morphology, and a dearth of verbs. Despite decades of research, the mechanisms underlying production patterns in PSA-G have been difficult to characterize. Two major impediments to progress may have been the view that it is a purely morphosyntactic disorder and the (sometimes overzealous) application of linguistic theory without interceding psycholinguistic evidence. In this paper, empirical evidence is examined to present an integrated portrait of language production in PSA-G and to evaluate the assumption of a syntax-specific syndrome. In light of extant evidence, it is proposed that agrammatic language production results from a combination of morphosyntactic, phonomotor, and processing capacity limitations that cause a cumulative processing bottleneck at the point of articulatory planning. This proposed Synergistic Processing Bottleneck model of PSA-G presents a testable framework for future research. The paper ends with recommendations for future research on PSA-G.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmeen Faroqi-Shah
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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7
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Zhang J, Yao Y, Wu JS, Rolls ET, Sun CC, Bu LH, Lu JF, Lin CP, Feng JF, Mao Y, Zhou LF. The cortical regions and white matter tracts underlying auditory comprehension in patients with primary brain tumor. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:1603-1616. [PMID: 36515634 PMCID: PMC9921237 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The comprehension of spoken language is one of the most essential language functions in humans. However, the neurological underpinnings of auditory comprehension remain under debate. Here we used multi-modal neuroimaging analyses on a group of patients with low-grade gliomas to localize cortical regions and white matter tracts responsible for auditory language comprehension. Region-of-interests and voxel-level whole-brain analyses showed that cortical areas in the posterior temporal lobe are crucial for language comprehension. The fiber integrity assessed with diffusion tensor imaging of the arcuate fasciculus and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus was strongly correlated with both auditory comprehension and the grey matter volume of the inferior temporal and middle temporal gyri. Together, our findings provide direct evidence for an integrated network of auditory comprehension whereby the superior temporal gyrus and sulcus, the posterior parts of the middle and inferior temporal gyri serve as auditory comprehension cortex, and the arcuate fasciculus and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus subserve as crucial structural connectivity. These findings provide critical evidence on the neural underpinnings of language comprehension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Yao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Centre for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Song Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Edmund T Rolls
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Oxford Centre for Computational Neuroscience, Oxford, UK
| | - Ce-Chen Sun
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Hao Bu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Feng Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Ching-Po Lin
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Feng Feng
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang-Fu Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
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8
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Intersecting distributed networks support convergent linguistic functioning across different languages in bilinguals. Commun Biol 2023; 6:99. [PMID: 36697483 PMCID: PMC9876897 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04446-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
How bilingual brains accomplish the processing of more than one language has been widely investigated by neuroimaging studies. The assimilation-accommodation hypothesis holds that both the same brain neural networks supporting the native language and additional new neural networks are utilized to implement second language processing. However, whether and how this hypothesis applies at the finer-grained levels of both brain anatomical organization and linguistic functions remains unknown. To address this issue, we scanned Chinese-English bilinguals during an implicit reading task involving Chinese words, English words and Chinese pinyin. We observed broad brain cortical regions wherein interdigitated distributed neural populations supported the same cognitive components of different languages. Although spatially separate, regions including the opercular and triangular parts of the inferior frontal gyrus, temporal pole, superior and middle temporal gyrus, precentral gyrus and supplementary motor areas were found to perform the same linguistic functions across languages, indicating regional-level functional assimilation supported by voxel-wise anatomical accommodation. Taken together, the findings not only verify the functional independence of neural representations of different languages, but show co-representation organization of both languages in most language regions, revealing linguistic-feature specific accommodation and assimilation between first and second languages.
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Chen L, Yang M, Gao F, Fang Z, Wang P, Feng L. Mandarin Chinese L1 and L2 complex sentence reading reveals a consistent electrophysiological pattern of highly interactive syntactic and semantic processing: An ERP study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1143062. [PMID: 37151349 PMCID: PMC10155869 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1143062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction A hallmark of the human language faculty is processing complex hierarchical syntactic structures across languages. However, for Mandarin Chinese, a language typically dependent on semantic combinations and free of morphosyntactic information, the relationship between syntactic and semantic processing during Chinese complex sentence reading is unclear. From the neuropsychological perspective of bilingual studies, whether second language (L2) learners can develop a consistent pattern of target language (i.e., L2) comprehension regarding the interplay of syntactic and semantic processing, especially when their first language (L1) and L2 are typologically distinct, remains to be determined. In this study, Chinese complex sentences with center-embedded relative clauses were generated. By utilizing the high-time-resolution technique of event-related potentials (ERPs), this study aimed to investigate the processing relationships between syntactic and semantic information during Chinese complex sentence reading in both Chinese L1 speakers and highly proficient L2 learners from South Korea. Methods Normal, semantically violated (SEM), and double-violated (containing both semantic and syntactic violations, SEM + SYN) conditions were set with regard to the nonadjacent dependencies of the Chinese complex sentence, and participants were required to judge whether the sentences they read were acceptable. Results The ERP results showed that sentences with "SEM + SYN" did not elicit early left anterior negativity (ELAN), a component assumed to signal initial syntactic processing, but evoked larger components in the N400 and P600 windows than those of the "SEM" condition, thus exhibiting a biphasic waveform pattern consistent for both groups and in line with previous studies using simpler Chinese syntactic structures. The only difference between the L1 and L2 groups was that L2 learners presented later latencies of the corresponding ERP components. Discussion Taken together, these results do not support the temporal and functional priorities of syntactic processing as identified in morphologically rich languages (e.g., German) and converge on the notion that even for Chinese complex sentence reading, syntactic and semantic processing are highly interactive. This is consistent across L1 speakers and high-proficiency L2 learners with typologically different language backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Chen
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Luyao Chen,
| | - Mingchuan Yang
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Institute of Modern Languages and Linguistics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Zhengyuan Fang
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Methods and Development Group (MEG and Cortical Networks), Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Liping Feng
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Liping Feng,
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