Abstract
If language comprehension requires a sensorimotor simulation, how can abstract language be comprehended? We show that preparation to respond in an upward or downward direction affects comprehension of the abstract quantifiers "more and more" and "less and less" as indexed by an N400-like component. Conversely, the semantic content of the sentence affects the motor potential measured immediately before the upward or downward action is initiated. We propose that this bidirectional link between motor system and language arises because the motor system implements forward models that predict the sensory consequences of actions. Because the same movement (e.g., raising the arm) can have multiple forward models for different contexts, the models can make different predictions depending on whether the arm is raised, for example, to place an object or raised as a threat. Thus, different linguistic contexts invoke different forward models, and the predictions constitute different understandings of the language.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | e75183 |
| Journal | PLoS One |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 26 2013 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
The Motor System Contributes to Comprehension of Abstract Language. / Guan, Connie Qun; Meng, Wanjin; Yao, Ru; Glenberg, Arthur.
In: PLoS One, Vol. 8, No. 9, e75183, 26.09.2013.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The Motor System Contributes to Comprehension of Abstract Language
AU - Guan, Connie Qun
AU - Meng, Wanjin
AU - Yao, Ru
AU - Glenberg, Arthur
PY - 2013/9/26
Y1 - 2013/9/26
N2 - If language comprehension requires a sensorimotor simulation, how can abstract language be comprehended? We show that preparation to respond in an upward or downward direction affects comprehension of the abstract quantifiers "more and more" and "less and less" as indexed by an N400-like component. Conversely, the semantic content of the sentence affects the motor potential measured immediately before the upward or downward action is initiated. We propose that this bidirectional link between motor system and language arises because the motor system implements forward models that predict the sensory consequences of actions. Because the same movement (e.g., raising the arm) can have multiple forward models for different contexts, the models can make different predictions depending on whether the arm is raised, for example, to place an object or raised as a threat. Thus, different linguistic contexts invoke different forward models, and the predictions constitute different understandings of the language.
AB - If language comprehension requires a sensorimotor simulation, how can abstract language be comprehended? We show that preparation to respond in an upward or downward direction affects comprehension of the abstract quantifiers "more and more" and "less and less" as indexed by an N400-like component. Conversely, the semantic content of the sentence affects the motor potential measured immediately before the upward or downward action is initiated. We propose that this bidirectional link between motor system and language arises because the motor system implements forward models that predict the sensory consequences of actions. Because the same movement (e.g., raising the arm) can have multiple forward models for different contexts, the models can make different predictions depending on whether the arm is raised, for example, to place an object or raised as a threat. Thus, different linguistic contexts invoke different forward models, and the predictions constitute different understandings of the language.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84884653190&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84884653190&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0075183
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0075183
M3 - Article
C2 - 24086463
AN - SCOPUS:84884653190
VL - 8
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 9
M1 - e75183
ER -