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7 - The Cognitive Neuroscience of Working Memory and Language

from Part II - Models and Measures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2022

By
Nina Purg ,
Anka Slana Ozimič  and
Grega Repovš
Edited by
John W. Schwieter  and
Zhisheng (Edward) Wen
John W. Schwieter
Affiliation:
Wilfrid Laurier University
Zhisheng (Edward) Wen
Affiliation:
Hong Kong Shue Yan University
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Summary

Working memory and language are tightly intertwined cognitive systems. Working memory enables language acquisition and vocabulary expansion; it supports both language comprehension and language production. Language, on the other hand, provides key representations that support efficient and robust encoding and maintenance of information in working memory, as well as the ability to compress information and the redundancy to reconstruct it in case of partial information loss. The close relationship can also be observed in the overlap and integration of brain systems and networks supporting working memory and language processing. This chapter examines the brain substrate of working memory and language processes, focusing on their interdependence, synergy, and the mechanisms underlying their close integration. It integrates key theoretical models and empirical evidence from behavioural and neuroimaging studies, computational modelling, and insights based on patterns of working memory and language dysfunctions due to brain injury and disease.

Keywords

Working memorylanguageproductioncomprehensionrepresentations
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Working Memory and Language , pp. 120 - 142
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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