Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T16:44:02.305Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter Two - Neural Representations and Language Processing in the Bilingual Brain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2023

John W. Schwieter
Affiliation:
Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario
Julia Festman
Affiliation:
University College of Teacher Education Tyrol
Get access

Summary

In this chapter, we explore neural representations and language processing in the bilingual brain. We begin by discussing key language areas and lateralization in bilinguals and look at some of the primary functions of the hemispheres, noting that, in fact, many brain functions – including bilingual language processing – are distributed across both hemispheres. We then consider the function of the four lobes of the brain and identify important regions for language, including Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas, which have been found to support language production and comprehension, respectively. The chapter then addresses how early or late exposure to a second language (L2) affects the cortical representation of the two languages. We then turn to specific processes of language use, namely how bilinguals comprehend and produce language. Overall, we have seen that the neural representations and processing of two languages are far from being fully understood. Nonetheless, we are gaining a clearer picture of the dynamic nature of two languages in one brain and the many individual differences that can affect this, such as age of acquisition (AoA) and proficiency.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Further Reading

Costa, A. (2019). The bilingual brain: And what it tells us about the science of language (J. W. Schwieter, Trans.). Allen Lane/Penguin Random House.Google Scholar
De Groot, A. (2011). Language and cognition in bilinguals and multilinguals: An introduction. Taylor & Francis.Google Scholar
Hernández, A. (2013). The bilingual brain. Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Vaid, J. (Ed.). (2016). Language processing in bilinguals: Psycholinguistic and neuropsychological perspectives. Routledge.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×