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Structural plasticity in the language system related to increased second language proficiency
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- While functional changes linked to second language learning have been subject to extensive investigation, the issue of learning-dependent structural plasticity in the fields of bilingualism and language comprehension has so far received less notice. In the present study we used voxel-based morphometry to monitor structural changes occurring within five months of second language learning. Native English-speaking exchange students learning German in Switzerland were examined once at the beginning of their stay and once about five months later, when their German language skills had significantly increased. We show that structural changes in the left inferior frontal gyrus are correlated with the increase in second language proficiency as measured by a paper-and-pencil language test. Contrary to the increase in proficiency and grey matter, the absolute values of grey matter density and second language proficiency did not correlate (neither on first nor on second measurement). This indicates that the individual amount of learning is reflected in brain structure changes, regardless of absolute proficiency.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
2805 Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Prefrontal Cortex
Multilingualism
Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
610 Medicine & health
Second-language attrition
Semantics
Language Development
Developmental psychology
German
3206 Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Predictive Value of Tests
Language assessment
Germany
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Cluster Analysis
Humans
Learning
Neuroscience of multilingualism
Language
Language Tests
Neuronal Plasticity
3205 Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
10058 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Temporal Lobe
language.human_language
Comprehension
Language development
Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Linear Models
language
Female
Psychology
Psychomotor Performance
Cognitive psychology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....71854fbd74b1334b385a84a9d30be6ef