Cognitive processes underlying non literal language understanding: how? When? and Where

本研究的主要目的是探讨年轻人和老年人非文字语言理解的认知过程和神经基础。 非字面语言包括隐喻、间接言语行为、讽刺、反语和许多其他语言结构，这些语言结构使说话者明显需要超越字面意思来理解说话者的交际意图，从而理解话语的意义。关于我们如何理解NL语言，有两个中心问题。第一个问题是：话语的字面意义和民族语言意义是同时被激活的，还是其中一个意义优先被激活？第二个问题涉及的神经基板参与NL语言处理：是否有大脑的不对称性，有利于一个特定的右半球（RH）在NL语言的处理？鉴于这种不对称性的第三个问题如下：年龄是否影响神经网络维持NL语言处理？没有一项研究能够成功地将NL语言处理的不同过程分开。此外，还没有研究比较反讽和隐喻加工使用成像方法。最后，关于NL语言处理的神经基质还没有达成共识。行为方法和近红外光谱-漫射光学成像技术（NIRS-DOT）将用于本研究计划。因此，NIRS-DOT允许在理解过程中的任一现象的时间过程之间的微妙的时间歧视，并提供足够的空间分辨率，以确定在NL语言处理的右半球的可能作用。本研究计划的结果将有助于更好地了解年轻人和老年人进行高水平语言处理的大脑和认知机制。

The general aim of this research program is to examine the cognitive processes and neural substrate underlying non literal language understanding in young adults and elderly adults.  Non literal (NL) language includes metaphor, indirect speech acts, sarcasm, irony and many other linguistic constructions that produce an apparent need for comprehenders to go beyond what is literally stated to apprehend the communicative intent of speakers, and, consequently the meaning of utterances. There are two central questions concerning how we comprehend NL language. The first one is: are the literal and the NL meanings of the utterance activated simultaneously or is one of them is achieved preferentially? The second question concerns the neural substrate involved in NL language processing: Is there a cerebral asymmetry in favour of a specificity of the right hemisphere (RH) in the processing of NL language? Given such asymmetry a third question follows: does age influence the neural networks sustaining NL language processing? No study has succeeded in teasing apart the different processes underlying NL language processing. Moreover, there is no study comparing irony and metaphor processing using imaging methods. Finally, there is no consensus concerning the neural substrate involved in NL language processing. Behavioural approach and Near infrared spectroscopy-Diffused optical imaging techniques (NIRS-DOT) will be used in this research program. Thus, NIRS-DOT allows subtle temporal discrimination between the time courses of either phenomena during comprehension, and provides sufficient spatial resolution to identify a possible role of the right hemisphere in NL language processing. Results of the present research program will contribute to a better understanding of the brain and cognitive mechanisms that allow high level language processing in young and elderly adults.