One brain, two languages: bridging neuroscience and linguistics

神经成像和相关技术的最新发展为理解双语在大脑中的表现提供了重大进展的希望。目前，这些发展受到以下事实的限制：一些最有才华的神经科学家很少或根本没有接受过语言学培训，以及那些确实接受过语言学培训的人在解释神经科学的一些结果方面需要帮助。这个研究网络的目的是为来自英国和海外的神经科学和语言学专家提供相互合作和开展合作研究的机会。研究网络活动将包括四个为期两天的工作坊，为期两年。前两个研讨会将讨论神经学家和语言学家都关心的理论问题，例如：是否有可能完全“关闭”双语者的一种语言？如果是这样，是什么机制使这成为可能？一些说双语的人如何在理解和语言产出方面都能接触到他们的语言？与使用口语的人相比，以视觉方式使用语言的人(聋人手语者)的这一过程是否有所不同？我们如何解释经常被报道的一种语言对另一种语言的“干扰”？第二种语言和第三种语言之间的干扰是否更成问题？如果是，原因是什么？第三次和第四次研讨会将包括笔译/口译和语言病理/评估领域的从业人员，并将寻求将前两次研讨会中开发的理论模型应用于双语从业人员关心的实际问题。这些问题可能包括：双语和大脑的理论模型如何帮助提高听觉和视觉模式下的口译和笔译技术？语言障碍的双语患者如何才能用他们的两种语言进行公平的评估？理论发现对双语教育有什么影响？通过这些活动，神经学家和语言学家将能够结合他们的见解和专业知识，开发新的理论模型和研究合作，这将导致对大脑处理两种语言的方式的新见解。这些见解也将具有实际应用，学者和实践者将共同探索，试图解决实践者在处理双语患者、客户或学生时面临的实际问题。

Recent developments in neuroimaging and related techniques have provided the promise of significant advances in the understanding of how bilingualism is represented in the brain. These developments are currently limited by the fact that some of the most talented neuroscientists have little or no training in linguistics, and by the fact that those who do have training in linguistics need help in interpreting some of the results in neuroscience. The aim of this research network is to provide the opportunity for specialists in neuroscience and linguistics from both Britain and abroad to work with one another and to develop collaborative research.The research network activities will consist of four two-day workshops over a period of two years. The first two workshops will address theoretical questions of concern to both neuroscientists and linguists, such as the following: Is it possible to entirely 'switch off' one of a bilingual's languages? If so, what is the mechanism that makes this possible? How do some bilingual speakers manage to access both their languages in understanding and language production? Is this process different for those who use language in a visual modality (deaf signers) as compared with those who use spoken language? How do we explain the often reported 'interference' of one language on the production of another? Is interference more of a problem between a second and third language and if so, why?The third and fourth workshops will include practitioners in the areas of translation/interpreting and language pathology/assessment and will seek to apply the theoretical models developed in the first two workshops to practical questions of concern to practising professionals working with bilinguals. These questions might include the following: How can theoretical models of bilingualism and the brain help improve techniques of interpreting and translating in both the auditory and visual mode? How can bilingual patients with language disorders be fairly assessed in both their languages? What are the implications of theoretical findings for bilingual education?As a result of these activities it is hoped that neuroscientists and linguists will be able to combine their insights and expertise and develop new theoretical models and research collaborations which will lead to new insights into the way in which the brain handles two languages. These insights will also have practical applications which will be explored by scholars and practitioners jointly in an attempt to solve practical problems faced by practitioners when dealing with bilingual patients, clients or students.