Distinct neural representations of different linguistic components following sign language learning
Abstract Learning a new language is a process everyone undergoes at least once. However, studying the neural mechanisms behind first-time language learning is a challenging task. Here we aim to explore the functional alterations following learning Israeli Sign Language, a visuo-spatial rather than a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Communications Biology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07793-7 |
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| author | Yael Coldham Neta Haluts Eden Elbaz Tamar Ben-David Nell Racabi Shachar Gal Michal Bernstein-Eliav Naama Friedmann Ido Tavor |
| author_facet | Yael Coldham Neta Haluts Eden Elbaz Tamar Ben-David Nell Racabi Shachar Gal Michal Bernstein-Eliav Naama Friedmann Ido Tavor |
| author_sort | Yael Coldham |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Learning a new language is a process everyone undergoes at least once. However, studying the neural mechanisms behind first-time language learning is a challenging task. Here we aim to explore the functional alterations following learning Israeli Sign Language, a visuo-spatial rather than an auditory-based language. Specifically, we investigate how phonological, lexical, and sentence-level components of the language system differ in their neural representations. In this within-participant design, hearing individuals naïve to sign languages (n = 79) performed an fMRI task requiring the processing of different linguistic components, before and after attending an Israeli Sign Language course. A learning-induced increase in activation was detected in various brain regions in task contrasts related to all sign language linguistic components. Activation patterns while processing different linguistic components post-learning were spatially distinct, suggesting a unique neural representation for each component. Moreover, post-learning activation maps successfully predicted learning retention six months later, associating neural and performance measures. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0e70faff1c934de0933d5d96f7f01800 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2399-3642 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0e70faff1c934de0933d5d96f7f018002025-08-20T02:47:07ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422025-03-018111710.1038/s42003-025-07793-7Distinct neural representations of different linguistic components following sign language learningYael Coldham0Neta Haluts1Eden Elbaz2Tamar Ben-David3Nell Racabi4Shachar Gal5Michal Bernstein-Eliav6Naama Friedmann7Ido Tavor8Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv UniversitySagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv UniversitySagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv UniversityFaculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv UniversitySagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv UniversityDepartment of Psychology, Bar-Ilan UniversityFaculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv UniversitySagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv UniversityFaculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv UniversityAbstract Learning a new language is a process everyone undergoes at least once. However, studying the neural mechanisms behind first-time language learning is a challenging task. Here we aim to explore the functional alterations following learning Israeli Sign Language, a visuo-spatial rather than an auditory-based language. Specifically, we investigate how phonological, lexical, and sentence-level components of the language system differ in their neural representations. In this within-participant design, hearing individuals naïve to sign languages (n = 79) performed an fMRI task requiring the processing of different linguistic components, before and after attending an Israeli Sign Language course. A learning-induced increase in activation was detected in various brain regions in task contrasts related to all sign language linguistic components. Activation patterns while processing different linguistic components post-learning were spatially distinct, suggesting a unique neural representation for each component. Moreover, post-learning activation maps successfully predicted learning retention six months later, associating neural and performance measures.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07793-7 |
| spellingShingle | Yael Coldham Neta Haluts Eden Elbaz Tamar Ben-David Nell Racabi Shachar Gal Michal Bernstein-Eliav Naama Friedmann Ido Tavor Distinct neural representations of different linguistic components following sign language learning Communications Biology |
| title | Distinct neural representations of different linguistic components following sign language learning |
| title_full | Distinct neural representations of different linguistic components following sign language learning |
| title_fullStr | Distinct neural representations of different linguistic components following sign language learning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distinct neural representations of different linguistic components following sign language learning |
| title_short | Distinct neural representations of different linguistic components following sign language learning |
| title_sort | distinct neural representations of different linguistic components following sign language learning |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07793-7 |
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