Dr. Erich Jarvis: The Neuroscience of Speech, Language & Music | Episode 87
Main Takeaways
Speech and language have different definitions, but they are closely related to brain function.
The speech production pathway controls the larynx and jaw muscles, while the auditory pathway helps with understanding speech.
Dogs can understand hundreds of human speech words, and some species rely more on gestures than voice to communicate.
Learning a language early in life or being bilingual makes it easier to learn another language later.
Semantic and effective communication use the same brain circuits, but context and intent affect perception.
Dance and other movements are linked to vocal learning pathways in songbirds and humans.
Humans write in complete sentences, but thought processes are more complex.
Stuttering is linked to basal ganglia damage, but it can be overcome with sensory-motor integration tools.
Texting stimulates the brain, but it can affect interpretation skills.
Future research may involve electrodes implanted in the brain to help paralyzed or non-communicative individuals and studying genomes for genetic associations across species.
