Functional characterization of the language network of polyglots and hyperpolyglots with precision fMRI.

ABSTRACT: How do polyglots-individuals who speak five or more languages-process their languages, and what can this population tell us about the language system? Using fMRI, we identified the language network in each of 34 polyglots (including 16 hyperpolyglots with knowledge of 10+ languages) and examined its response to the native language, non-native languages of varying proficiency, and unfamiliar languages. All language conditions engaged all areas of the language network relative to a control condition. Languages that participants rated as higher-proficiency elicited stronger responses, except for the native language, which elicited a similar or lower response than a non-native language of similar proficiency. Furthermore, unfamiliar languages that were typologically related to the participants

SUBMITTER: Malik-Moraleda S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9882290 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature