The development of language is highly dependent on the brain
The development of language is highly dependent on the brain. Arguably, the language, in most instances, is a representation of the complexity of the mind of the human being, necessarily, just like behavior and action, language is learned through observation of other human beings. Essentially, it is correct to say that the mirror neurons are responsible for this mirror function. Specifically, learning of speech entails observation of the ideas presented in the form of sentences and interpreting them according to the actions that are attached to the views.
This fact has given rise to the mirror system hypothesis, which is the assumption that to execute an action and recognize objects, the person should have seen a similar activity or the object before (1). The discovery of these neurons has given rise to two main ideas (2). One is that the motor systems involved in speech production are significantly engaged in perceiving sounds, which relates to the motor theory of speech production (2). The motor theory entails that speech recognition is a process of identifying the motor representations that were used to produce a speech signal (3). The other idea is that the meaning of action-related words is partly coded in motor regions, which control the execution of the action (2). This argument about imitation and mirror neurons leads to the thesis of this paper, language is reliant on thoughts and is developed as a result of observation and imitation that happens with the help of the mirror neurons. To support this thesis, this paper will examine where mirror neurons are located, their role in language acquisition, and by linking the brain region in which the neurons lay to the other areas, they closely work together with.
Mirror Neurons
Mirror neurons have been found in the classical areas of the brain, which are the ventral premotor cortex (ventral PMC) (Figure 2) and the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) (Figure 1), and non-classical areas, which is the primary motor cortex (4, 9) (Figure 2). These regions were first discovered in monkeys, namely the Macaca nemistrina and Macaca mulatta, as they are capable of cognitive imitation such as imitating sounds and action (4, 7, 9). Various techniques have successfully experimented whether the same neurons are located in the same regions in human brains. fMRI studies show that the PMC and inferior parietal areas are both active in observation as well as execution of movement (3). Moreover, TMS and behavioral studies show that human brains have mirror neurons or comparable ‘mirror mechanism(s)’ (4, 6). This observation is evident in a child imitates behaviors from their parents. Further, other than observation, the mirror neurons are linked to understanding the objectives and purpose of the use of various expressions or actions related to words. For instance, Fogassi experimented on monkeys and recorded activity of 41 mirror neurons within their inferior parietal lobe (1). The action involved Fogassi eating an apple and placing it in the cup. Essentially, 15 neurons in the brain of the monkey were fired at the single observation of the apple approaching the mouth (2). Also, four more neurons were fired as the monkey responded by biting an apple and placing the apple inside the cup.
In essence, the response is not only to action but also to speech showing that observation is a critical component of learning and development. Essentially, the process of learning language and developing it in human beings is in a similar way, facilitated by mirror neurons. The mirror neuron codes the concrete representation of speech and language (7). For instance, an individual understands that they can only be able to activate the ability to speak a particular language if they follow the same pattern as they have repeatedly observed.
Adding to that, some suggest that when a monkey hears a sound as well as observes and a movement related to the sound, a specific class of mirror neurons are being activated, which are called the F5 mirror neurons (also known as audio-visual mirror neurons) (7). This fact contradicts and falsifies the minimalist assumption that these neurons are only active during the perceived effects the actions exert on objects (8).
The role of mirror neurons
A visual representation of a movement, without executing it, describes the visible aspect of that movement (9). It is argued that the visual representation of executive tasks causes the activation of the mirror neurons (2, 4, 6, 7, 9). This would then mean that, indeed, MNs play a role in language acquisition, as describing something requires the usage of words. Taken the motor theory of speech perception in the account, studies suggest that one should be able to understand how children can learn to produce a sound of a word with such ease; they know how to manipulate their vocal tracts to imitate the sound they previously heard (10, 11).
As the MN-system is also quite adaptive, some suggest that the process of language acquisition is happening gradually since the brain provides mechanisms to support 1) the ability to recognize performances as frequent movements, 2) complete recognition of actions, and 3) perfect imitation of sounds (4). This statement is supported by various studies done with monkeys, which show that their audio-visual MNs play an essential role in acquiring the basic concepts of language (7) this fact relates to a child attaching sentences to objects they see often. Moreover, auditory-vocal mirror neurons in children, concerning the development of the prefrontal cortex and language maturation, play an essential role in the transition from babbling to goal-directed language (12). Taking it a step further, this could mean that MNs have laid a fundamental basis for the early development of expression (12). Auditory–vocal mirror neurons are critical in the development of language. The development includes the maturation from babbling sounds to understandable sentences. This mirroring involves the imitation of the sounds and words heard (13). Arguably, this kind of observation and imitation process is seen in the process of learning the first language by a baby. It is true to say that a child is born as a blank slate, and the brain of a child adjusts to the happenings within their everyday environment. The first words spoken by a child are those that they have several times heard from those close to them.
Further, this function indicates the utilization of the mirror neurons that activate the ability to learn repeated sentences as a result of the attachment of those words to action and the effect of saying those words. This fact means that a child is likely to lean specific speaking sentences, depending on what they gain from telling them (14). For instance, by calling their mother’s name, there is a likelihood of attention. This process brings meaning to the words spoken in a particular language as the child tries to understand the actions from those around them.
Additionally, if the people around the particular child speak in a specific language all the time, that language becomes the first language of the child. This fact is based on the reality that the process of learning language is highly dependent on the mirror neurons, which help in finding meaning through activation of what has been observed within the environment.
Importantly, the mother tongue is an excellent example of how neurons are related to the development of language. Essentially, if a child is taken away from their biological family and placed in a new environment with a different language, the child learns and adopts the language of where they grow up (15). This evidence shows that language and speech development is not biological processes but processes that involve observation (16). In essence, the number of languages a child can learn is dependent on the activation of their mirror neurons.
Specifically, the population of children who speak more than one language in America has been on the rise. For instance, 22% of children in the USA in 2016 spoke other languages in addition to speaking English. This population rose by 2% in 2018 (15). This scenario can be explained by the availability of a mixed population in America –in terms of ethnicities and races. As a result, the children learn in environments where they are forced to observe and imitate new languages.
Necessarily, mirror neurons are also essential in the processing of speech related gestures. Gestures are a result of the evolution of language that is spoken. The use of gestures does not involve the utilization of Broca’s areas (17). Therefore, even with minimally functional Brocas areas, one can still observe gestures which are actions. Therefore, mirror neurons help one in recognizing gestures and attaching meaning to them.
Significantly, the mirror neurons are a distinctive group of neurons that react to stimuli caused when an individual acts. Similarly, the mirror neurons respond when one observes as another individual performs the same actions. Essentially, it is critical to note that mirror neurons are responsible for various vital functions of the brain. These functions relate to the ability of an individual to learn behavior and bear emotions as well as understand the environment around them through how the environment reacts to them.
Essentially, the formation of language, just like the formation of actions and behavior, is very much a result of the utilization of the mirror neurons. Mainly, when an individual hears a sentence, they are likely to relate that particular sentence to the action that follows the work. For instance, when an individual listens to a language that they do not understand, they rely on their ability to understand.
A research carried on individuals interacting with people whose language they do not understand showed that individuals first observed the individual’s body language as the foreign language was spoken. Significantly, by listening to Chinese sentences, for example, the individuals were able to learn the words, the more they were repeated to the individuals (18). In simple terms, the mirror neurons initiate the process of creating and recreating action based on how the observer can understand from observing. Just like action, the brain can imitate speech. For instance, animals such as monkeys are seen to imitate sounds made by other monkeys nearby or far away. Necessarily, in times of distress, one monkey may make a sound out of fear or pain to alert others. In return, the entire group of monkeys imitates the same sound depending on the observation of the environment. Similarly, the human mind can utilize mirror neurons by acquiring information from their environment.
Additionally, it is right to say that there is a 70% probability of an individual repeating a new word that is interesting to them like a vocabulary or a word from a new language (19). The word repetition is caused by the uniqueness of the word and the constant effort of any human being to attach meaning to the word or sentence. For instance, people tend to learn language through songs.
Arguably, a song is a language pattern from which one may be able to speak a foreign language even without initially knowing the meaning of the sentences. Primarily, the mirror neurons enhance the ability to master such sentences and, based on the mood of the particular song, make meaning of the sentences (16). Therefore, one can sing to the words of foreign language in tune due to the repetition and ability of the listener to observe and imitate the words.
Significantly, past experiments on brain imaging through the use of the functional magnetic resonance imaging showed that the inferior frontal cortex and superior parietal lobe indicate activity when an individual acts (20). Also, these parts of the brain are active when one observes the actions. These findings are indicative that there is the existence of mirror neurons in these areas of the brain. Further, the activity is noticeable as one tries to find the meaning and attach value to certain words. Mostly, large areas contain FMRI voxels increase activity with increased interaction with specific sentences.
Linkage to other brain regions
The Brocas area is the part of the brain that is in the third frontal and anterior to the face of the motor cortex. This area of the brain is made of the pars triangularis and the opercularis. Additionally, the Brocas is located on the left part of the brain (16). On the other hand, the motor system is the central part of the brain that is responsible for movement and hence action.
Essentially, the left part of the brain, which is the Brocas area is responsible for the processing of speech. Arguably, this fact is evidenced by the experiment carried out by Paul Brocas, where two patients with speech impairment were examined (19). In this case, both patients had been involved in an accident leading to injury on the left side of the heads. These subjects were unable to process language.
Additionally, the injury in this area is likely to cause an inability to process the meaning of various elements of language. This fact means that the Brocas area is responsible for cognitive development. The development of language is an element of cognitive development, which requires that one can understand speech and make appropriate meaning of it. The disruption in these areas –is also likely to result in the disrupting of functions such as working out logical calculations or even processing information (2, 4). This disruption causes a delay in the time that one takes to make up the meaning of a particular sentence and to construct a retaliatory response to the sentence.
In connection with this fact, it’s true to say that this disruption may cause speech disorders like stuttering, which involves a delay in speech. This condition is noticeable, with a considerable delay in reacting to sentences. Additionally, lesions in the Brocas are likely to cause attacks such as the transient ischemic attack, which is a short-stroke that impairs speech (5). The disruption is also relatable with the aphasia disorder, which can also result in the inability to communicate and to process information’.
However, it’s important to note that a slow and gradual injury to the Brocas areas is not necessarily likely to disrupt speech processing. Essentially, this fact indicates that as the Brocas areas gradually wear out, the functions continuously shift to neighboring regions in the brain.
One of the prominent cases where speech has continued uninterrupted even after the destruction of Brocas is that of a computer engineer. The engineer who was suffering from a glioma tumor had it removed, which caused damage to the Brocas area (20). However, apart from minimal language problems, his ability to communicate and form speech was not wholly destroyed. This management was, as a result, neural plasticity in the cerebral cortex, which caused compensatory mechanisms.
Speech therapy is a necessary process that helps in the management of language processing disorders. Some individuals indicate an inability to speak fluently, and hence their ability to communicate is affected. This kind of therapy includes involving the mind in the solving of complex sentences that require one to make sense of them. Primarily, through these activities that include the use of ambiguous statements, one acquires a more activated inferior frontal gyrus.
As Figure 1 and Figure 2 portray that most MNs are found in the IPL and ventral PMC. IPL overlaps a part of Wernicke’s area and is part of the dorsal stream, which supports functions of what is called the “inner speech” (13). Digging deeper into the role of Wernicke’s area, it is associated with speech comprehension (e.g., the semantics of sentences and words) (14). Importantly, the processing of speech is dependent on the tasks that are presented to an individual. For instance, there is a difference in reactions to semantic tasks such as the languages and philosophies themselves. The other functions are the phonological tasks such as sign languages and the sounds made during speech.
When stimulation of the anterior area of the Brocas occurs, semantic tasks indicate a 10% decrease in reaction times. This reduction is opposed to the 6% one shown by phonological tasks after stimulating the posterior part of Brocas (8). These different reactions indicate that the different parts of the Brocas areas specialize in the accomplishment of various tasks. Significantly, therefore, one may use the main the ability to process tasks such as spelling and making meaning of the sentences while being unable to process sounds.
The ventral PMC (Figure 2) overlaps with Broca’s area, which is known for its speech production (15). Previously, it was argued t[AG1] hat MNs are also located in this area (4, 9). Therefore, possibly finding them in this brain area is not entirely unthinkable, and support the claim this paper makes, which states that MNs are vital for speech production.
Thoughts and Language
Critically, this ability to specialize explains why the formation of speech is a secondary accomplishment. The primary task is the formation of sentences and logic in the mind before one can speak. Arguably, the fact that some people take longer to respond to questions shows that the establishment of speech and use of language is a result of prior thoughts and ideas that are organized before the response. Additionally, the quality of speech and expression is dependent on the ability to think critically.
In conclusion, the mirror neurons are critical in the processing of language. The process involves observing actions and speech and imitating. This process explains the development of language during child development. Additionally, the Brocas areas are responsible for the creation of the meaning of sentences and the organization of the sentences into logical arrangements that have mean. In essence, speech and language are related to thoughts. The relation is undeniable since, before the formation of speech, the mind through the braces areas engages in the process of computation to determine the meaning of the words as well as to organize speech in logical sentences.
[AG1]This paper should all about provide evidence, not arguments