Lateralization

Lateralization in Phonetic and Phonology

1. Lateralization

2. Lateralization: Lateralization is the idea that the two halves of the brain are functionally different and that each hemisphere has functional specializations, e.g. the left is dominant for language, and the right excels at visual motor tasks. In other words: The lateralization of brain function is the tendency for some neural functions or cognitive processes to be specialized to one side of the brain or the other. The medial longitudinal fissure separates the human brain into two distinct cerebral hemispheres, connected by the corpus calosum .

3. The brain is divided into two hemisphere i.e. left hemisphere and right hemisphere. Each hemisphere is responsible for specific functions. Lateralisation : The dominance of one hemisphere of the brain for particular physical and psychological functions. Hemisphere and Lateralisation :

4. Lateralization – each hemisphere has abilities not share with its partner Cerebral dominance – designates the hemisphere dominant for language Left hemisphere – controls language, math and logic Right hemisphere – controls visual-special skills, emotions and artistic skills Lateralization of Cortical Fucntion

5. The  dominant language  is the  language  with which a bilingual or multilingual speaker has greatest proficiency and/or uses more often. Language dominance  is, on its face, a relatively simple concept. It refers to the degree of bilingualism manifested by individuals who know two  languages , that is, the relative level of proficiency in each of the  languages . A person may know both equally well, in which case we speak of balanced bilingualism. It refers to the degree of bilingualism , those who know two languages. Language dominance:

6. It includes three situations: A person who knows both languages equally. A person can exhibit greater control of one over other. In this case we consider first language to be dominant over the other.

7. Dominant Bilingual: someone with greater proficiency in one of his or her languages and uses it significantly more then the other languages. Means A person who is a native speaker in one and is capable of understanding but not speaking another language. Balanced  Bilingual: Someone whose mastery of two languages is roughly equivalent. Means a person being more proficient in one of the two languages . Balanced vs Dominant:

8. Modularity of mind is the notion that a mind may, at least in part, be composed of innate neural structures or modules which have distinct established evolutionarily developed functions. Selective loss of a specific cognitive function via brain damage is support for the modularity view Modularity of brain:

9. But the modularity does not necessarily predict that there should be specific brain areas dedicated to specific cognitive functions. So modularity could be true even if there was no selective language impairment via brain damage. the ways brains are determined by genes and so selective lss or sparing of language genes should lead to selective loss or sparing of language.

10. The critical period hypothesis states that an individual must acquire a language by a critical period otherwise it will be difficult to acquire a language. It states that the first few years of life is the crucial time in which an individual can acquire a native language (L1) if presented with adequate stimuli. Critical period hypothesis:

11. It also states that there is only a small window of time for a first language to be natively acquired. If a child is denied language, she will not acquire the language. So an adult learning a language is almost never as component as native speaker.

12. The critical period hypothesis limits: