A1 Journal article (refereed)
Spatiotemporal dynamics of activation in motor and language areas suggest a compensatory role of the motor cortex in second language processing (2023)

Tian, L., Chen, H., Heikkinen, P. P., Liu, W., & Parviainen, T. (2023). Spatiotemporal dynamics of activation in motor and language areas suggest a compensatory role of the motor cortex in second language processing. Neurobiology of Language, 4(1), 178-197. https://doi.org/10.1162/nol_a_00093

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Tian, Lili; Chen, Hongjun; Heikkinen, Pyry Petteri; Liu, Wenya; Parviainen, Tiina

Journal or series: Neurobiology of Language

eISSN: 2641-4368

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 21/11/2022

Volume: 4

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 178-197

Publisher: MIT Press

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1162/nol_a_00093

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/87325

Abstract

The involvement of the motor cortex in language understanding has been intensively discussed in the framework of embodied cognition. Although some studies have provided evidence for the involvement of the motor cortex in different receptive language tasks, the role that it plays in language perception and understanding is still unclear. In the present study, we explored the degree of involvement of language and motor areas in a visually presented sentence comprehension task, modulated by language proficiency (L1: native language, L2: second language) and linguistic abstractness (literal, metaphorical, and abstract). Magnetoencephalography data were recorded from 26 late Chinese learners of English. A cluster-based permutation F-test was performed on the amplitude of the source waveform for each motor and language region of interest (ROI). Results showed a significant effect of language proficiency in both language and motor ROIs, manifested as overall greater involvement of language ROIs (short insular gyri and planum polare of the superior temporal gyrus) in the L1 than the L2 during 300–500 ms, and overall greater involvement of motor ROI (central sulcus) in the L2 than the L1 during 600–800 ms. We interpreted the over-recruitment of the motor area in the L2 as a higher demand for cognitive resources to compensate for the inadequate engagement of the language network. In general, our results indicate a compensatory role of the motor cortex in L2 understanding.

Keywords: motor functions; languages; language development; development of motor skills; language skills

Free keywords: motor cortex involvement; magnetoencephalography; native language; second language; language proficiency; abstractness

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1