2. Project Problem Context & Description
• As a non native speaker of German for last five years
I have faced some unique challenges that I did not
have to face while learning three other native
languages as a child.
• I started learning german at 26 years and use it now
almost exclusively as the main language of
interaction with my colleagues and friends
• In these slides I would like to describe first the brain
areas & concepts involved in any language use and
some speculative hypothesis on the use of L2 and
potential source of problems faced
3. Language Areas of the Brain
Left hemisphere (mostly) – core aspects
• Broca’s area – for producing language (speaking)
• Wernicke’s Area – for understanding Language
Right hemisphere –prosodic/social aspects useful for
automatic speech (expletives) , paralinguistic cues,
sarcasm etc.
• RH equivalent of Broca’s area –for creating prosody
• RH equivalent of Wernicke’s Area- for interpreting
prosody and aspects of communication dependent on
that
5. Memories involved in Language
Acquisition
• Procedural - for grammatical aspects
• Declarative – for new words/vocabulary
Possibly Less efficient use of procedural memory
for L2 compared to L1,
more tasks that are otherwise performed by procedural
memory for L1 performed by declarative memory for L2
6. Critical Period for Language
Acquisition
- source: Brain Mechanisms Underlying the Critical Period for Language: Linking
Theory and Practice,Patricia K. Kuhl
7. Speculative Hypotheses on adult
acquisition & use of L2
• Prosodic centers , Right hemisphere areas possibly not engaged
properly during traditional L2 training of adults in language schools
with a focus on vocabulary & grammar in comparison to L1(native
language acquired as a child)
• Absence of motherese with exaggerated prosodic input in the case
of L2 training in comparison to L1 and neglect of prosody by
language schools
• The above could potentially lead to monotonic speech without
much use of expressive intonation thus affecting social interactions
and social competency in L2
• This lack of social competency could be coincident with adequate
vocabulary and even grammar hence leading to its misattribution as
a personality trait. One could be seen as more brusque and
serious/boring, flat, long winding while using L2 than when using L1
8. Some Benefits from the course
• It has led me to not take simple motor & sensory abilities that we have for granted
and really value them
• It has made me marvel at the facility of language and what it involves
• It has led me to understand why my grandmother could remember events from
her childhood but not from the previous day (clinical amnesia)
• It has led me to a better understanding of why I am having so much trouble
learning new languages as an adult and learn to be kind towards others trying hard
to make sense and communicate in a non native L2
• Based on the information gained in this course about language and my own
experience with L2 that I now understand much better I hope not to be quick to
judge any L2 speaker negatively based on their facial expressions, intonation and
the flow of their speech and to give them the benefit of doubt as much as possible
• It has led me to understand why i can easily carry out a perfect conversation while
walking (Central pattern generator) without actually becoming aware of the
walking itself
• It has helped me understand why it is difficult to walk straight after downing 4
beers… (how alchohol affects the vestibular system)!!
• Thank you
