Cited by 56Neurobiology of Language and BilingualismPhonetics and Phonology ResearchTactile and Sensory Interactions

A comparison of sensory-motor activity during speech in first and second languages

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Simmonds, Anna J., Wise, Richard J. S., Dhanjal, Novraj S., Leech, Robert·2011·Journal of Neurophysiology

Abstract

A foreign language (L2) learned after childhood results in an accent. This functional neuroimaging study investigated speech in L2 as a sensory-motor skill. The hypothesis was that there would be an altered response in auditory and somatosensory association cortex, specifically the planum temporale and parietal operculum, respectively, when speaking in L2 relative to L1, independent of rate of speaking. These regions were selected for three reasons. First, an influential computational model proposes that these cortices integrate predictive feedforward and postarticulatory sensory feedback signals during articulation. Second, these adjacent regions (known as Spt) have been identified as a "sensory-motor interface" for speech production. Third, probabilistic anatomical atlases exist for these regions, to ensure the analyses are confined to sensory-motor differences between L2 and L1. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and participants produced connected overt speech. The first hypothesis was that there would be greater activity in the planum temporale and the parietal operculum when subjects spoke in L2 compared with L1, one interpretation being that there is less efficient postarticulatory sensory monitoring when speaking in the less familiar L2. The second hypothesis was that this effect would be observed in both cerebral hemispheres. Although Spt is considered to be left-lateralized, this is based on studies of covert speech, whereas overt speech is accompanied by sensory feedback to bilateral auditory and somatosensory cortices. Both hypotheses were confirmed by the results. These findings provide the basis for future investigations of sensory-motor aspects of language learning using serial fMRI studies.

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Crossref · 10.1152/jn.00343.2011

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  • In left posterior planum temporale/temporoparietal area, activation increases when speech production is more error prone due to interference or speaking in a second language.

    “First, in the left posterior planum temporale/temporoparietal area that previous studies had associated with the silent imagination of heard speech, activation was found to increase when speech production was more error prone due to interference or speaking in a second language (Hocking et al., 2009; Abel et al., 2009; Simmonds et al., 2011; Parker Jones et al., 2012).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Munoz-Sandoval AF, Cummins J, Alvarado CG, Ruef ML. Bilingual Verbal Abilities Test: Comprehensive Manual. Itasca, IL: Riverside, 1998 [Google Scholar]

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Authors
Simmonds, A. J., Wise, R. J. S., Dhanjal, N. S., & Leech, R.
Affiliations
  • Imperial College London (GB)
  • Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre and
Corresponding author
Simmonds, Anna J.
Venue
Journal of Neurophysiology
Published
2011-07
Volume
106
Issue
1
Pages
470-478
ISSN
  • 0022-3077 (ISSN-L)
  • 1522-1598
OpenAlex
W2059032774
Cited by
56
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
FWCI
3.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neurophysiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Phonetics and Phonology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
Keywords
second language speech, planum temporale, parietal operculum, auditory cortex, somatosensory cortex, overt speech, language learning, accent, hemispheric lateralization, speech production
MeSH terms
Adult, Auditory Cortex, Brain Mapping, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Motor Activity, Somatosensory Cortex, Speech, Speech Perception, Multilingualism, Feedback, Sensory

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