Background: It is currently accepted that sign languages and spoken languages have significant processing commonalities. The evidence supporting this often merely investigates frontotemporal pathways, perisylvian language areas, hemispheric lateralization, and event-related potentials in typical settings. However, recent evidence has explored beyond this and uncovered numerous modality-dependent processing differences between sign languages and spoken languages by accounting for confounds that previously invalidated processing comparisons and by delving into the specific conditions in which they arise. However, these processing differences are often shallowly dismissed as unspecific to language. Purpose: This short review aimed to discuss the differences in processing these language modalities, found by recent neuroscience studies, and the arguments against these differences. This was done to bring attention to these often-neglected differences, so that they can be considered in future research and theories. Results: First, this article addressed the topographical differences in the left anterior negativity (LAN) and sign languages’ unique modulations of components like the N400. There is also differential activation of typical spoken language processing areas, such as the conditional role of the temporal areas in sign language (SL) processing. A main point of discussion focused on sign languages’ unique recruitment of parietal areas in processing phonology and syntax, and mapping internal representations to spatial information in comprehension and production. Modality-specific feedback mechanisms were briefly addressed as this involved proprioceptive post-output monitoring in sign languages, contrary to spoken languages’ auditory and visual feedback mechanisms. The only study to find event-related potential (ERP) differences post-production revealed earlier lexical access in sign than spoken languages. Conclusion: Overall, this evidence suggests various ways in which processing differs between these language modalities that extend beyond simple differences between languages, particularly in early comprehension and late production stages. Hopefully, further exploration of these differences can help us develop a more comprehensive view of language in the brain.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.