Brain & Linguistic Functions

As a person grows, different parts of her brain specialize in different language-related functions. The left hemisphere typically specializes in most aspects of the linguistic function while the right hemisphere begins to process other functions such as understanding sarcasm and humor. According to a study published in the "Scientific American Journal" in June 2001, writing, reading and sign (body) languages are processed mainly in the same brain areas as is spoken language.

Understanding

• A crucial part of the linguistic functions is understanding a language. In right-handed persons, this is a task of the Wernicke's area, which is located in the left temporal cortex. On the other hand, left-handed people process language understanding in both the left and right temporal cortex.

  While most language-related functions are processed in the left hemisphere, some language components such as humor, sarcasm and metaphors are processed in the right hemisphere.

Speaking

• In right-handed people, the Broca's area is responsible for the speaking function. It is located in the left frontal lobe of a person's brain. Left-handed people produce language both in the right and left frontal lobes.

  Damage in the Broca's area can cause a non-fluent aphasia. When suffering from this disease, a person's speech is understandable to others, but it takes a long time for that person to produce sentences.

Gender Differences

• Medical and biological literature suggests that men and women process language quite differently. According to Kenji Kansaku, Ph.D., men show more left-hemisphere dominance, while women can process languages more equally between the left and right hemispheres. After a left-hemisphere lesion, more men suffer from aphasia than do women, according to a study published in the "Cerebral Cortex Journal" in September 2000.