Chapter 9. A neuropsycholinguistic approach to complexity
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Barbara Köpke
Abstract
Research on bilingualism has considerably changed our view of language processing, one of the main contributions being a growing awareness of the instability of language systems. While Complexity Theory claims that there is no stability whatsoever, I will argue that there are moments in the life of a language user when language systems are specifically prone to change and discuss three such cases: changes in language use patterns leading to language attrition, adding a new language to the language system, and adaptation to acquired language disorders such as aphasia. Adopting a neuropsycholinguistic approach that compares different situations of typical and disordered language use and takes into account insights from neurosciences, this discussion demonstrates the brain’s adaptive potential when it is faced with structural disorganization or with environmental changes. Furthermore, and very much in line with predictions from Complexity Theory, the findings discussed suggest that language is probably less independent from other cognitive skills than previously thought.
Abstract
Research on bilingualism has considerably changed our view of language processing, one of the main contributions being a growing awareness of the instability of language systems. While Complexity Theory claims that there is no stability whatsoever, I will argue that there are moments in the life of a language user when language systems are specifically prone to change and discuss three such cases: changes in language use patterns leading to language attrition, adding a new language to the language system, and adaptation to acquired language disorders such as aphasia. Adopting a neuropsycholinguistic approach that compares different situations of typical and disordered language use and takes into account insights from neurosciences, this discussion demonstrates the brain’s adaptive potential when it is faced with structural disorganization or with environmental changes. Furthermore, and very much in line with predictions from Complexity Theory, the findings discussed suggest that language is probably less independent from other cognitive skills than previously thought.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- List of figures xi
- List of tables xiii
- Acknowledgements xv
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. Complexity Theory 11
- Chapter 2. Complexity Theory and Dynamic Systems Theory 51
- Chapter 3. Neural complexity meets lexical complexity 59
- Chapter 4. Conceptualizing learner characteristics in a complex, dynamic world 79
- Chapter 5. The emerging need for methods appropriate to study dynamic systems 97
- Chapter 6. Lost in state space? 123
- Chapter 7. Complex Dynamic Systems Theory and L2 pedagogy 143
- Chapter 8. Language destabilization and (re-)learning from a Complexity Theory perspective 163
- Chapter 9. A neuropsycholinguistic approach to complexity 191
- Chapter 10. Energy conservation in SLA 209
- Index 233
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- List of figures xi
- List of tables xiii
- Acknowledgements xv
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. Complexity Theory 11
- Chapter 2. Complexity Theory and Dynamic Systems Theory 51
- Chapter 3. Neural complexity meets lexical complexity 59
- Chapter 4. Conceptualizing learner characteristics in a complex, dynamic world 79
- Chapter 5. The emerging need for methods appropriate to study dynamic systems 97
- Chapter 6. Lost in state space? 123
- Chapter 7. Complex Dynamic Systems Theory and L2 pedagogy 143
- Chapter 8. Language destabilization and (re-)learning from a Complexity Theory perspective 163
- Chapter 9. A neuropsycholinguistic approach to complexity 191
- Chapter 10. Energy conservation in SLA 209
- Index 233
