The Neuroscience of Sign Language

Abstract

Current brain damage and neuroimaging research have shed some light on the neuronal network of the sign language processing. Similar manifestations of the left-sided sign language hemispheric specialization was observed in the case of sign language aphasia as in the spoken language aphasia. Lesions clinical data reveals the dissociation between the spatial language abilities and the non-linguistic visuospatial and motor functions. Signers with no brain damage activate left-sided perisylvian area, the classical spoken language regions which seem to be important for the language processing independently of the language modality. Neuroimaging data have allowed to differentiate the cortical system mediating the sign language (the activation of the visual cortex) that is distinct from the spoken language area (the activation of the auditory cortex). Additionally, the age of acquisition seems to have impact on the brain activation during the sign language production and reception in the case of both deafand hearing signers as well.