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Mind

The entire brain may be involved in language, not just a few regions

Brain regions identified as “language centres” are actually hubs that coordinate the processing of language throughout the brain, argues a controversial new study

By Michael Marshall

20 September 2023

Brain activity in speech production shown on a coloured functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRIf) scan

When we speak, brain activity spikes (red) in regions near Broca’s area

ZEPHYR/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

We have misunderstood how the brain processes language, says a controversial new analysis. The brain regions that have been identified as specialised language processing centres are actually hubs that coordinate the processing of language across multiple brain regions, argue Jeremy I. Skipper at University College London and his colleagues.

Their idea runs counter to most models of language in the brain and has been met with scepticism.

Since the late 1800s, there has been growing evidence that specific brain areas…

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