The study found that when gesture and speech convey the same information, they are easier to understand than when they convey different information. This suggests that gesture and speech form an integrated system that helps us in language comprehension.
A study published in Cortex identifies the left fusiform gyrus as necessary for normal understanding of written text and correct word spelling. The findings suggest that this brain area is specialized and required for orthographic processing.
The world's top experts in endangered languages are converging at the University of Utah to create a comprehensive online database. The gathering aims to preserve 7,000 languages that are at risk of extinction, with nearly 90% predicted to disappear in the next 100 years.
A partnership between MU and state organizations provides medical interpreters to LEP patients, improving communication and reducing costs. The program aims to increase access to quality care and reduce misdiagnoses.
Researchers found that idiomatic sentences activated the right middle temporal gyrus and right medial frontal gyrus, indicating a more complex understanding process. The left hemisphere's role in suppressing literal meaning was not specifically activated, but limbic regions involved emotional responses were.
Animated speech and language tutors, developed by UC Santa Cruz professor Dominic Massaro, help remedial readers, language learners, and autistic children by modeling natural human speech and articulation. The technology is being incorporated into a new remedial reading program and tailored to teach languages such as Arabic.
A new study found that children with language impairments struggle to recall story details, unlike their peers without impairments. Researchers emphasize the importance of engaging children in daily experiences to improve understanding and enjoyment of stories.
Researchers created a network of concept vectors to analyze word pairs and reconstruct hierarchical structures in texts. This study may reveal the underlying structure of language, enabling comprehension of abstract ideas.
A UCSF study found that limited English proficiency is an independent risk factor for difficulty in understanding medical situations. Respondents who were LEP reported more comprehension problems despite having access to physicians speaking their native language.
A study employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirms long-held suspicions about the complexity of language processing in the brain. Researchers identified a new language area, dubbed Geschwind's territory, which connects to classical language areas via a separate route, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of language.
Studies using fMRI and EEG reveal a distinct neural activity pattern in the right hemisphere's anterior Superior Temporal Gyrus (aSTG) associated with insightful problem-solving. This finding suggests that insight involves integration of distantly related information, providing new insights into cognitive processes.
Researchers used fMRI to study brain activity in response to Western and traditional Chinese music. They found no overall differences in brain activation between cultures, but significant differences based on musical training. Musicians showed greater brain activity in response to Western music and greater recall of both styles.
Researchers aim to better understand the nuances of language comprehension in individuals with right hemisphere stroke, which often affects word meanings and phrases. The study will use MRI scans to determine if lesion location impacts communication deficits.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that individuals with Down syndrome can continue to improve their language skills well into young adulthood. Language comprehension skills tend to plateau during late adolescence, while language expression skills continue to develop and even improve in some cases.
A study highlights advances in probability sampling and question precision to improve survey accuracy. Poor sampling methods can lead to biased results, emphasizing the need for high-quality implementation.
A study by Emory University researchers found that Wernicke's area, a region of the brain known for language processing, also monitors nonverbal predictability. This suggests that our ability to acquire language may stem from our subconscious recognition of predictable events.
Dr. Rachel I. Mayberry's research indicates that there is a critical period for sign language acquisition, guiding the learning of all first languages. This critical period emphasizes the importance of early childhood exposure and language acquisition in order to achieve optimal comprehension.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that infants as young as 6 months old begin to comprehend the sound patterns behind words like 'Mama' and 'Dada', forming a lexicon linked to socially significant people. This finding marks a significant milestone in understanding human language development.
A study by Brown University researchers found that prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to lower IQ scores and language performance in children. The analysis of over 800 school-age children revealed a significant impact on intelligence, with an average IQ score reduction of 3.26 points.
A recent study by Brandeis University researcher Patricia Tun suggests that older adults' difficulty in following conversation is linked to fast-paced and noisy environments. The study found that seniors' ability to process speech was impaired when faced with rapid-fire talkers, multiple background voices, or distracting noises.
A study published in Developmental Psychology suggests that bilingual preschoolers understand written languages faster and can read sooner than their monolingual counterparts. Bilingual children recognize symbolic relations between letters and sounds, allowing them to comprehend written language without visual objects.