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Abstract

This chapter asks how the kind of language universals discussed in the previous chapters might be instantiated in human brains. It distinguishes between âshallowâ and âdeepâ universals in cognition, the former being due to abstract computational properties, and the latter to properties of the neural architecture that supports the function in question, such as language. It argues that shallow universals that are a matter of consensus in the linguistic community should be studied from a neurodevelopmental standpoint to seek their deep (i.e., biologically meaningful) counterparts. Based on an extensive survey of genetic, anatomical, and imaging data, the chapter suggests that the specific architecture of local brain areas (such as Broca's area) is not genetically predetermined but instead emerges as a result of its role and activity, given its particular location in functional networks. A neurodevelopmental account of putative language universals is most likely to be based on organization and interaction of nonlinguistic 'ingredient processes'.

Keywords: human brain; shallow universals; cognition; linguistic universals; deep universals

@incollection{ralphaxel09LUchapter,
  author={Muller Ralph-Axel},
  title={Language Universals in the Brain: How Linguistic Are They?},
  year={2009},
  pages={224-253},
  chapter={11},
  editor={M.H. Christiansen and C. Collins and S. Edelman},
  publisher={Oxford University Press},
  booktitle={Language Universals},
  url={http://www.isrl.uiuc.edu/~amag/langev/paper/ralphaxel09LUchapter.html},
  keywords={human brain; shallow universals; cognition; linguistic universals; deep universals}
}