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Distinct spatiotemporal patterns of syntactic and semantic processing in human inferior frontal gyrus

Author

Listed:
  • Yanming Zhu

    (Fudan University
    Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University
    Jinan University (Shenzhen))

  • Min Xu

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience)

  • Junfeng Lu

    (Fudan University
    Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University)

  • Jianhua Hu

    (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)

  • Veronica P. Y. Kwok

    (Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience)

  • Yulong Zhou

    (Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience)

  • Di Yuan

    (Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience)

  • Bin Wu

    (Fudan University
    Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University)

  • Jie Zhang

    (Fudan University
    Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University)

  • Jinsong Wu

    (Fudan University
    Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University
    Zhangjiang Lab
    Shanghai Key laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration)

  • Li Hai Tan

    (Jinan University (Shenzhen)
    Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience)

Abstract

Human languages are based on syntax, a set of rules which allow an infinite number of meaningful sentences to be constructed from a finite set of words. A theory associated with Chomsky and others holds that syntax is a mind-internal, universal structure independent of semantics. This theory, however, has been challenged by studies of the Chinese language showing that syntax is processed under the semantic umbrella, and is secondary and not independent. Here, using intracranial high-density electrocorticography, we find distinct spatiotemporal patterns of neural activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus that are specifically associated with syntactic and semantic processing of Chinese sentences. These results suggest that syntactic processing may occur before semantic processing. Our findings are consistent with the view that the human brain implements syntactic structures in a manner that is independent of semantics.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanming Zhu & Min Xu & Junfeng Lu & Jianhua Hu & Veronica P. Y. Kwok & Yulong Zhou & Di Yuan & Bin Wu & Jie Zhang & Jinsong Wu & Li Hai Tan, 2022. "Distinct spatiotemporal patterns of syntactic and semantic processing in human inferior frontal gyrus," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(8), pages 1104-1111, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:6:y:2022:i:8:d:10.1038_s41562-022-01334-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-022-01334-6
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