Neurocognition of Language Processing

Based on our findings, we have formulated a Neurocognitive Model of Auditory Language Comprehension in the adult brain (see Friederici, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2012). This model provides a testable framework for the time course and functional neuroanatomy of syntactic, semantic as well as lexical processes. These processes involve separable networks in the left hemisphere, while prosodic processes appear to be firmly rooted in areas of the right hemisphere (Friederici et al., 2017).

Our current research focuses on how the processing of syntax and semantics interacts with other linguistic (phonology, prosody) and non-linguistic domains (e.g. memory, emotion, gesture). All these projects aim to specify the functional, as well as structural connectivity between key language-related brain areas (temporal, frontal, subcortical) in order to contribute to a refined understanding of the hierarchical systems of language.


Publications

Friederici, A. D.; Chomsky, N.; Berwick, R. C.; Moro, A.; Bolhuis, J. J.: Language, mind and brain. Nature Human Behaviour 1, pp. 713 - 722 (2017)
Friederici, A. D.: The cortical language circuit: From auditory perception to sentence comprehension. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 16 (5), pp. 262 - 268 (2012)
Friederici, A. D.: The brain basis of language processing: From structure to function. Physiological Reviews 91 (4), pp. 1357 - 1392 (2011)
Friederici, A. D.: Pathways to language: Fiber tracts in the human brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 13 (4), pp. 175 - 181 (2009)
Friederici, A. D.: Towards a neural basis of auditory sentence processing. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 6 (2), pp. 78 - 84 (2002)

Staff

Name
Phone
Dr. Alfred Anwander
Senior researcher
  • +49 341 9940-2626
Dr. Manuela Friedrich
Research associate
  • +49 30 2093 9476
Maren Grigutsch, Dipl.-Phys.
Programmer
  • +49 341 9940-136
Dr. Thomas C. Gunter
Senior researcher
  • +49 341 9940-115
Dr. Hyeon-Ae Jeon
Research associate
  • +82 (0)53 785 6151
Dr. Emiliano Zaccarella
Guest researcher
  • +49 341 9940-2663
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