'Which are the brain language control mechanisms when we learn new vocabulary?'

Abstract

The Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), Inferior Parietal Lobule (IPL), basal ganglia and caudate, have been proposed as language control mechanisms by Abutalebi and Green (2007). In the present study, we investigated which language control mechanisms are involved when we are learning new vocabulary (L2) associated with native language (L1). To this aim, we used fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to measure brain activity and the naming tasks to L1 and L2. Twenty-one participants completed both tasks, divided into a learning phase and naming tasks (L1 and L2). Between days 1 to 10, the participants received six 1-hour sessions that consisted in learning 84 pseudowords associated with 84 native words. On days 10 and 24 learning words and pseudowords were tested and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) sessions were conducted. Naming in L1 results showed higher cortical activity, whereas, naming in L2 revealed more subcortical activity. The discussion is focused on control areas that are activated when it is necessary to inhibit L1 or L2. Furthermore, the different networks which are involved in naming vocabulary L1 and L2.