©Arlene Taylor PhD
Different portions of the brain contribute to the use of language. A whole-brained use of language requires (no surprise) use of the whole brain. Individuals may exhibit a greater facility with specific aspects of language based on their own innate preferences.
In addition, individuals tend to use language differently based on their own brain lead. This is also true when they are speaking about others who have a different brain lead.
Left Frontal Lobe
- Spoken language in Broca’s Area
- Language structure (e.g., grammar, syntax)
- Literal meanings
- Focuses on a single and/or the precise meaning for a specific word
- Interested in the best choice of word(s)
- Laughter, portions of humor (e.g., wit)
- Uses language to direct
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Right Frontal Lobe
- Gestured language (e.g., tears, pointing, waving, body position)
- Prosody (irony, sarcasm)
- Context and related appropriateness, global view
- Focuses on metaphoric or symbolic meanings and/or multiple meanings
- A sense of humor (often off-the-wall, or bizarre)
- Uses language to inspire
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Left Posterior Lobes
- Written language
- Decoding of speech sounds in Wernicke’s Center
- Language form:
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Sentences
- Labels for speech forms (e.g., noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition)
- Learning to speak native language(s)
- Uses language to report
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Right Posterior Lobes
- Emotional language
- Affective speech
- Sensitivity to the music and color of speech:
- Rhythm
- Rhyme
- Speed and volume
- Voice inflection (the music of speech)
- Reading nonverbal body language
- Learning to speak a non-native language after about age 9 or 10
- Uses language to connect
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Left Frontal Lobe Tend to use words and phrases such as: - Tools, hardware
- Get to the bottom line
- Give me the key points
- We need a critical analysis
- Let’s break it down to the basics
- State-of-the-art equipment
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Right Frontal Lobe Tend to use words and phrases such as: - Software
- Big picture
- Cutting-edge ideas
- Synergistic
- Innovative ideas
- We need a blockbuster
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Left Posterior Lobes Tend to use words and phrases such as: - Step-by-step
- That’s the way it’s always been done
- Play it safe
- Let’s go by the book
- We need law and order
- Routines are best
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Right Posterior Lobes Tend to use words and phrases such as: - Team work, team development
- Participatory
- Personal growth
- Family values
- We need to be interactive
- Human values, human resources
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Left Frontal Lobe Examples of derogatory phrases used by others about them: - What a nerd
- Such a cold fish
- Calculating SOB
- Money hungry or power hungry
- Uncaring and unemotional
- Only cares about the bottom line
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Right Frontal Lobe Examples of derogatory phrases used by others about them: - Undisciplined
- Too much off-the-wall humor
- Takes too many risks
- Unrealistic
- Air head or head is in the clouds
- Always daydreaming
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Left Posterior Lobes Examples of derogatory phrases used by others about them: - Unimaginative
- Stick in the mud
- Pencil pusher
- Can’t think on his/her own
- Always playing it safe
- Lives by the book
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Right Posterior Lobes Examples of derogatory phrases used by others about them: - Such a people pleaser
- Touchy-feely
- A soft touch or a push over
- Has diarrhea of the mouth
- What a bleeding heart
- A bit of a sap if you ask me
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