FUNCTION OF DIFFERENT PART OF HUMAN BRAIN

It is common knowledge that the brain controls muscular activity in the human body. It is clear that the brain is also the seat of conscious thought. Indeed we can all agree that when we have an idea, make the unconscious decision to convey it in language and subsequently actually produce some utterance in our language, the brain is involved at every step along the way. Obler & Gjerlow Attempts to understand the complexities of human cognitive abilities and especially the acquisition and use of language are as old and as continuous as history. Three long-standing problems of science include the nature of the brain, the nature of human language, and the relationship between the two. The view that the brain is the source of language and cognition goes back over 2000 years. Assyrian and Babylonian cuneiform tablets mention disorders of language that may develop when mans brain holds fire. Egyptian doctors in 1700 B.C.E. noted in their papyrus records that the breath of an outside God had entered their patients who became silent in sadness . Fromkin, Rodman & Hyams. From the above two quotations, the importance of brain in our life is very clear. Study of the function of different parts of the brain is very interesting. After a long research and study of brain by the psycho linguists and neurologists, now, we are able to understand the function of different parts of brain. But, this topic is still a subject of further research.

DIFFERENT PARTS OF BRAIN AND THEIR FUNCTION: Cerebrum- this is largest part of human brain and the important part for language. It is divided into two hemisphere, right and left. Motor area (motor strip)- it exists in both hemispheres of the cerebral cortex. Stimulating a cortical area in one hemisphere usually makes the muscles on the opposite side of the body move. This is because of the nerve fibers cross over to the opposite or contra lateral side. There is some representation in each cerebral hemisphere for the ipsilateral or same side muscles but the strongest connections are those who runs opposite side. Frontal lobe- The frontal lobes are considered our emotional control center and home to our personality. There is no other part of the brain where lesions can cause such a wide variety of symptoms (Kolb & Wishaw, 1990). The frontal lobes are involved in motor function, problem solving, spontaneity, memory, language, initiation, judgment, impulse control, and social and sexual behavior. There are important asymmetrical differences in the frontal lobes. The left frontal lobe is involved in controlling language related movement, whereas the right frontal lobe plays a role in non-verbal abilities. Some researchers emphasize that this rule is not absolute and that with many people, both lobes are involved in nearly all behavior Temporal lobes -The temporal lobes are involved in the primary organization of sensory input (Read, 1981). Individuals with temporal lobes lesions have difficulty placing words or pictures into categories.

Language can be effected by temporal lobe damage. Left temporal lesions disturb recognition of words. Right temporal damage can cause a loss of inhibition of talking.

Parietal lobe-The parietal lobes can be divided into two functional regions. One involves sensation and perception and the other is concerned with integrating sensory input, primarily with the visual system. The first function integrates sensory information to form a single perception (cognition). The second function constructs a spatial coordinate system to represent the world around us. Individuals with damage to the parietal lobes often show striking deficits, such as abnormalities in body image and spatial relations (Kandel, Schwartz & Jessel, 1991). Optical lobe - primary area for the reception of visual stimuli. Most of the visual pathway is also contra lateral. Information from right visual field comes from the left hemisphere. Corpus callosum - it connects two hemispheres. Heschls gyrus it works for reception of auditory stimuli. Brocas area - Broca's area is one of the main areas of the cerebral cortex responsible for producing language. This region of the brain was named for French neurosurgeon Paul Broca who discovered the function of Broca's area while examining the brains of patients with language difficulties. This brain area controls motor functions involved

with speech production. Persons with damage to Broca's area of the brain can understand language but cannot properly form words or produce speech. Broca's area is connected to another brain region known as Wernicke's area. Wernikes area - Wernicke's area is the region of the brain where spoken language is understood. Neurologist Carl Wernicke is credited with discovering the function of this brain region. We saw that the brain is the most complicated organ of human body controlling motor and sensory activities and thought process. Research conducted for over a century reveals that different parts of brain control different language functions. Evidences from language disorder studies are helpful to know about function of the brain. Further research related to brain would be helpful to know its function in more detail.

ARNAV SHUKLA M.A. LINGUISTICS SEM III