On the origins of grammar: from structural complexity in auditory sequences to syntactic structures

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A still unresolved issue in the fields of theoretical linguistics, neurolinguistics, and cognitive psychology of language processing is how the unique ability to process syntactic structure emerged in humans, underpinning the specificity of Language Faculty (LF). Furthermore, recent research on theoretical and neurocognitive aspects of syntax is currently pointing towards possible functional equivalence of structural rules implemented in non-linguistic sequences and syntactic processing in humans. Such co-evolution may reside in and still rely on a fronto-striatal brain system when processing sequences and syntax. Furthermore, this brain system in its capacity to tag temporal attributes may be responsible for the synchronization of predictive temporal and sequential cues in auditory language processing. However, one remaining mystery is to understand both the emergence of syntactic capabilities, including recursive computation and the processing of hierarchical linguistic structures, from the temporal and sequencing capacities of a frontostriatal system. The current project aims at realizing significant advancement in relation to these open issues. This will be possible by setting up an interdisciplinary research team offering the unique opportunity to combine cross-linguistic and cross-species experimental work and modelling approaches. In particular, we will combine behavioural, electrophysiological (ERP), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments in healthy participants, patients with fronto-striatal disruptions (unmedicated (early) and medicated (in progression) Parkinson’s disease), computational modelling, and an innovative animal model of early fronto-striatal function disruption in order to identify the computational origins of grammar in humans.