Neurolinguistics Research Groups

Siena Christensen is studying the effects of social conditions on second language acquisition. She uses short video clips with target second language words being used in social settings and fNIRS machines to monitor brain activity while learning a new language with social situations. She is also studying the effects of social conditions on the brain's ability to recall second language words after they have been learned. Siena uses fNIRS machines to study brain activity in the superior temporal gyrus, posterior medial temp gyrus, right inferior parietal lobe, left inferior gyrus and superior frontal gyrus, areas associated with social working memory as well as the mentalizing network and language processing.

Daniela Ortega is studying the brain processing of emotional words in Chinese and English speaking bilinguals. She has participants who are both native English speakers who speak Chinese as their second language as well as native Chinese speakers who speak English as their second language. She uses fNIRS machines to study if there are differences in how people’s brains process positive, negative, neutral and controversial words based on cultural values they grew up with. Examples of these words are joy, murder, aisle, communism, etc. For her study she gives each participant two questionnaires, one in English and one in Chinese, with a list of the same words and has them rate how they feel about each word. As well as comparing the data from the fNIRS machines for each individual she also compares the responses of the questionnaires to see if the language they read the word in has an effect on how they rated that word.

Brook Lorenc is studying the differences between linguistic brain activity in bilingual participants (English and ASL) and Deaf participants (only use ASL). She uses fNIRS machines to study brain activity while the participants do tasks like those in the game scattergories. The lower left side of the brain is associated with language processing and the complementing areas on the right side of the brain are associated more with visual meaning. She expects to see some differences in lower left brain areas between ASL and English use as well as some additional activity in the right side that is unique to ASL.

Brook is using EEG caps to study the waves emitted by the brain during certain types of cognitive processing. She shows her participants videos in ASL of two minimal pairs, two words that have different meanings and very minor differences in fingering. The videos gradually change between the two signs, and she uses EEG technology to observe when the participant notices that the word has changed.

Abigail Black is interested in the effects of meditation and music on the brain and how those may affect second language acquisition. She is preparing a research project in order to study those effects on students taking a language exam, specifically looking at the brain activity in active learning areas, language association areas, and limbic area of the brain. Abigail speaks Spanish and Georgian and is attempting to learn German.