Neural Correlates of Object-Extracted Relative Clause Processing Across English and Chinese

• DOI: 10.1162/nol_a_00110
• Publication Date: 2023-05-30T19:02:21Z
• Authors: Donald Dunagan; Miloš Stanojević; Maximin Coavoux; Shulin Zhang; Shohini Bhattasali; Jixing Li; Jonathan Brennan; John Hale
• Keywords: Angular gyrus; Relative clause; Superior temporal gyrus; Vagueness

Abstract Are the brain bases of language comprehension same across all human languages, or do these vary in a way that corresponds to differences linguistic typology? English and Mandarin Chinese attest such typological difference domain relative clauses. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging with participants, who listened translation-equivalent story, we analyzed neuroimages time aligned object-extracted clauses both languages. In general linear model analysis naturalistic data, was selectively associated increased hemodynamic activity left posterior temporal lobe, angular gyrus, inferior frontal precuneus, cingulate cortex This result suggests processing is subserved by common collection regions, regardless typology. However, there were also regions activated uniquely our participants albeit not significantly greater degree. These lobe. Chinese-specific results could reflect structural ambiguity-resolution work must be done but