title: Three-dimensional grammar in the brain: Dissociating the neural correlates of natural sign language and manually coded spoken language.
abstract: In several countries natural sign languages were considered inadequate for education. Instead, new sign-supported systems were created, based on the belief that spoken/written language is grammatically superior. One such system called SJM (system językowo-migowy) preserves the grammatical and lexical structure of spoken Polish and since 1960s has been extensively employed in schools and on TV. Nevertheless, the Deaf community avoids using SJM for everyday communication, its preferred language being PJM (polski język migowy), a natural sign language, structurally and grammatically independent of spoken Polish and featuring classifier constructions (CCs). Here, for the first time, we compare, with fMRI method, the neural bases of natural vs. devised communication systems. Deaf signers were presented with three types of signed sentences (SJM and PJM with/without CCs). Consistent with previous findings, PJM with CCs compared to either SJM or PJM without CCs recruited the parietal lobes. The reverse comparison revealed activation in the anterior temporal lobes, suggesting increased semantic combinatory processes in lexical sign comprehension. Finally, PJM compared with SJM engaged left posterior superior temporal gyrus and anterior temporal lobe, areas crucial for sentence-level speech comprehension. We suggest that activity in these two areas reflects greater processing efficiency for naturally evolved sign language.
authors: Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Poland. Electronic address: k.jednorog@nencki.gov.pl.
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Jednoróg
authors: Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Poland.
authors: Łukasz
authors: Ł
authors: Bola
authors: Section for Sign Linguistics, Faculty of Polish Studies, University of Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Mostowski
authors: Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
authors: Marcin
authors: M
authors: Szwed
authors: Laboratory of Limbic System, Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Poland.
authors: Paweł M
authors: PM
authors: Boguszewski
authors: Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Poland.
authors: Artur
authors: A
authors: Marchewka
authors: Section for Sign Linguistics, Faculty of Polish Studies, University of Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: p.rutkowski@uw.edu.pl.
authors: Paweł
authors: P
authors: Rutkowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003638:Deafness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D011044:Poland; D012813:Sign Language; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Deaf; Language comprehension; Sign language; Signed oral language; fMRI