Kotz, S.
Neurocognition of Rhythm in Communication Group, MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
Neural cortical correlates of linguistic functions such as syntax and phonology are well supported in the neuroscience literature. However, the influence of non-linguistic functions such as timing, rhythm, and attention, well established in music research, are currently sparsely considered in speech and language research. This is surprising as latter functions play a critical role in first and second language acquisition. In this context, I will focus on basal ganglia and cerebellar circuitries which are involved in beat perception, timing, attention, memory, language, and motor behaviour (see Kotz, Schwartze, & Schmidt-Kassow, 2009; Kotz and Schwartze, 2010) in L1. Furthermore, I will present a concept of how linguistic and non-linguistic functions interface and will support this concept with recent event-related potential (ERP) data from L2 speakers that belong to different rhythmic L1 and L2 classes (e.g. Schmidt-Kassow et al., 2011).