Brain Systems that Govern Language - Essay Example

Brain Systems that Govern Language Brain Systems that Govern Language Introduction One of the human body’s most remarkable and complex organs is the brain. It is undeniably the nervous system’s most primal component. The brain carries around one hundred billion neurons and weighs approximately 1.4 kilos. It is segmented into the right hemisphere and the left hemisphere (Crawford, 2008). These two hemispheres differ in light of the cognitive roles ascribed to each one. The purpose of this paper is to examine the brain systems that govern language. There are numerous distinctions between the two brain hemispheres. The nature associated a person’s language is greatly dependent on the part of the brain dominating the nervous system. Discourse Detailed research has shown that language in human is controlled by the brain. The Control of languages is done by the left hemisphere of the brain. A part of this hemisphere, which is known as the Broca’s area is the one responsible for complex speech capabilities inclusive of syntax and grammar. This part of the brain also controls a person’s primary language and stores it distinctly from the second language. Another part in the left hemisphere responsible for language is the Wernicke area. This part is believed to be responsible for processing of languages. It is very useful in helping us comprehend things. Furthermore, the parietal lobe is responsible for interpreting words in any given language (Partridge, 2009). Since the left-brain functions to thin in language, it espouses intelligence that imbues judgment and memory ascribed to memory. Psychotherapy mainly adopts the left-brain approach, because we primarily make use of the left-brain in speech and thought reflection. The left-brain is specialized in conscious, linear, and specific processing of information. The left hemisphere alludes to our logical thinking capacity’s physical location. Left brain students have a tendency to be proficient in mathematics and symbolic language. They exude better capacity to memories math formulas and vocabulary (Newquist, Kasnot & Brace, 2004). The vast majority of people in the world assume that the power of language lies in what we can see visually: the ears, tongue and the lips. However, the deaf and mute have also been known to communicate in one way or another. In other instances, people who lack vocal cords also understand various languages and use it in writing. Other forms of communication also exist, such as sign language are other forms of speaking. When we keenly consider these two scenarios we find that language does not lie in the tongues or the hands while giving gestures. Language is much more than the physical aspects that we can see the real power behind language lies in the brain (Carlson, 2013). A small portion of the cortex facilitates the processing of language. This portion is located around the Sylvia fissure. The area responds to espouse spoken language as well as sign language. In close to 98% of right-handed individuals, the left hemisphere facilitates most responses of language processing (Fitzpatrick, 2004). Language responses in right-handed individuals are most likely accorded in the right hemisphere. Individual with dominant left-brains respond to language better by garnering better command of learned languages and communication in terms of vocabulary. All this has been found by the study of the branch, a field known as neurolinguistics. This relates language comprehension and production in relation to the physical structure of the brain. The basic physical structure of the brain consists of the cerebrum. This consists of the cortex and a sub cortex. It is partitioned in two hemispheres by a membrane known as the corpus callosum (Peng, 2005). Another feature of the human brain that is intriguing is that each side of the brain, the hemispheres, controls certain unique functions of the human body. This is different from other paired organs such as the lungs, kidneys or breasts, that both perform the same function. The right side of the brain is in charge of spatial acuity while the left side of the brain controls demanding physical tasks and abstract reasoning (Cherry, Godwin & Staples, 2009). The left hemisphere is the one also responsible for language in adults. Surprisingly, this is also true for left handed individuals (Patel, 2008). The left side controls patterns that move in an orderly manner in a single dimension. It is also involved in acts that require certain physical skill and reasoning such as trying to assemble a tool. This manual dexterity is under control of the left side. In line with this, most humans are right handed. Majority of the human population are born with the natural preference to use their right hands (Springer & Deutsch, 2001). In most scenarios the left hand of an individual will hold an object while the right hand will work towards manipulating at that object so as to perform duties that’s require a certain progression. This is a much easier arrangement rather than a scenario where both of the hands are trying to accomplish a complex task (Pinker, 2004). The question, therefore, arises as to why language use is developed in the left side of the brain. This can be explained with the simple reasoning that language is a linear process. Just like any other coordinated physical activity controlled by the left side of the brain. The words, sounds or gestures of a language are usually uttered in a certain manner, one after another in a defined progression. There is order in the manner in which languages are used. Other complex skills controlled by the left hemisphere are mathematics, complex work tasks and reasoning. This is the same for individuals who are left handed (Watson & Breedlove, 2012). Over the course of time, several tests have been carried out to try and prove that It is the left hemisphere that actually controls language in humans. In one instance, patients were injected with a mild radioactive substance (Springer & Deutsch, 2001). This was to be absorbed more rapidly by active parts of the brain. Tests show that there was increased activity in the neural areas of the left hemisphere when the subjects were using various forms of language. However, in individuals who were artistic, there was increased neural activity in the neurons in the right hemisphere cortex. Likewise, strokes afflict many individuals in the world. A person who has a stroke on the right side of their body normally loses the use and control of parts on the left side of his body. His artistic skills may also suffer or disappear altogether. However, even though the mouth of the individual may be crippled, the language skills of the individual are not affected in any way. The brain can still understand languages and it is common for such individuals to find another way of communicating with others. On the other hand, when an individual is unfortunate to suffer a stroke on the left hemisphere of the brain, he loses not only control of his right body size but also of his language capabilities. Communication in all its forms is lost to this individual; this state is known as aphasia (Carlson, 2013). A person who has aphasia can do all sorts of things such as sing or even whistle, but they cannot produce any form of normal speech: Either in gestures, spoken form or in writing. A person who uses sign language will also lose the ability to interpret any gestures, although his hands can still be used to perform any other function such as playing drums or washing. As long as the functions are non-lingual, they can still be performed. This shows that language use is deeply imparted in the left hemisphere (Reading, 2011). Other experiments have been carried out such s injecting Sodium Amytal into the left carotid artery. This artery takes blood to the left hemisphere of the brain. The outcome was that the language abilities of the individual were disrupted (Stein, 2007). The conclusion was that if you were to put the entire left side of the brain to sleep, it was possible for the individual to think, but they could not communicate. This clearly shows where the power to communicate lies in the human brain. In some instances, an electrical charge was sent to the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. When sent to the right hemisphere, nothing happened. However, when sent to the left side, the individual had difficulty in speech and even uttered an involuntary cry. This is another clear example that the power of speech lies in the left hemisphere of the brain (Ganeri, 2003). Conclusion In conclusion, human beings are born with the ability to develop an extremely complex system that is used for communication, what we refer to as language. The instinct to use language is an intricate part of us. All children that are born have been known to immerse themselves in the language of their immediate environment as if by miracle. This is the norm for majority of the children unless of course they suffer from specific language impairment. Human beings also have an ability to acquire language, an ability that diminishes rapidly during puberty. Children are much more adept at acquiring language than adults. Finally, the faculty of language is housed in the perisylian part of the left hemisphere cortex of the brain. This is what controls language and communication in human beings (Drubach, 2000). References Ashwell, K. W. (2012). The brain book: development, function, disorder, health. Richmond Hill, Ont.: Firefly Books. Bellamy, R. (2005). Inside the brain. North Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media. Cherry, C., Godwin, D., & Staples, J. (2009). Is the left brain always right?: a guide to whole child development. Belmont, Calif.: D.S. Lake Publishers. Carlson, N. R. (2013). Physiology of Behaviour (12th international ed.). Harlow: Pearson/Education. Coltheart, M., & Sartori, G. (2013). The Cognitive Neuropsychology of Language (Psychology Revivals). Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Crawford, G. B. (2008). Differentiation for the adolescent learner: accommodating brain development, language, literacy, and special needs. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. Drubach, D. (2000). The brain explained. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Health. Fitzpatrick, A. (2004). The brain. North Mankato, Minn.: Smart Apple Media. Ganeri, A. (2003). Your brain (North American ed.). Milwaukee, Wisc.: Gareth Stevens Pub.. Jackendoff, R. (2002). Foundations of language: brain, meaning, grammar, evolution. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Newquist, H. P., Kasnot, K., & Brace, E. (2004). The great brain book: an inside look at the inside of your head. New York: Scholastic Reference. Partridge, K. (2009). The brain. New York: H.W. Wilson Co.. Patel, A. D. (2008). Music, language, and the brain. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Peng, F. C. (2005). Language in the brain critical assessments. London: Continuum. Pinker, S. (2004). The language instinct. New York: W. Morrow and Co.. Portocarrero, L. (2007). Brain facts. New York: Chelsea House. Reading, A. (2011). Meaningful information the bridge between biology, brain, and behavior. New York: Springer. Springer, S. P., & Deutsch, G. (2001). Left brain, right brain. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman. Springer, S. P., & Deutsch, G. (2008). Left brain, right brain: perspectives from cognitive neuroscience (5th ed.). New York: Freeman. Stein, K. (2007). The genius engine: where memory, reason, passion, violence, and creativity intersect in the human brain. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons. Watson, N. V., & Breedlove, S. M. (2012). The minds machine: foundations of brain and behavior. Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers. Read More