ERIC Number: EJ772494
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Jun
Pages: 38
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0736-9387
EISSN: N/A
Cultural and Linguistic Influence on Brain Organization for Language and Possible Consequences for Dyslexia: A Review
Johansson, Barbro B.
Annals of Dyslexia, v56 n1 p13-50 Jun 2006
Current neuroimaging and neurophysiologic techniques have substantially increased our possibilities to study processes related to various language functions in the intact human brain. Learning to read and write influences the functional organization of the brain. What is universal and what is specific in the languages of the world are important issues. Most studies on healthy bilinguals indicate that essentially the same neural mechanisms are used for first and second languages, albeit with some linguistic and cultural influences related to speech and writing systems, particularly between alphabetical and nonalphabetical languages. Proficiency, age of acquisition, and amount of exposure can affect the cerebral representations of the languages. Accumulating data support the important role of working memory for acquiring high proficiency in the reading of native and second languages. It is proposed that longitudinal studies on second language acquisition are essential and that the specific problems related to second language learning in dyslexic children should have high priority.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Memory, Linguistics, Cultural Influences, Longitudinal Studies, Language Acquisition, Dyslexia, Brain Hemisphere Functions, Infants, Injuries, Neurological Organization, Bilingualism, Language Proficiency, Reading Skills, Auditory Perception, Cognitive Processes, Child Development, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Native Speakers, Reading Difficulties, Music Education
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2189
Publication Type: Information Analyses; Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A