Functional Connectivity Between Language-Related Areas and Its Relation With Age, L2 Proficiency, and Grammar Learning Ability
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2021-08-26
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en
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Abstract
Functional connectivity patterns within the language network change from childhood to adulthood and have previously been associated with multiple language measures. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between age and functional connectivity between four language-related areas in the left hemisphere (i.e., the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), the posterior middle and superior temporal gyrus (pMTG/STG), the angular gyrus (AG), and the middle frontal gyrus (MFG)) by testing participants across a wide age range (9–29 years). Furthermore, we examined how functional connectivity between these regions relates to second language (L2) proficiency and grammar learning ability. Resting state data was acquired from 67 Dutch native speakers and their L2 (English) proficiency and grammar learning ability were assessed through multiple English proficiency tasks and an Icelandic grammar training respectively. We found that both left AG - left IFG connectivity and left IFG - left pMTG/STG connectivity were negatively related to age. Additionally, age was positively related to L2 proficiency, whereas grammar learning ability was not predicted by age. Furthermore, although connectivity between the four language regions was not significantly related to grammar learning ability, left IFG - left pMTG/STG connectivity was positively related to L2 proficiency. A positive relationship within these regions has previously been found for first language (L1) measures, which could suggest that stronger connectivity between these language regions subserves not only L1, but also L2 proficiency. Additionally, together with findings of previous studies, it suggests that a connection between these regions might be important in L2 learning.
Keywords: L2 proficiency, grammar learning ability, age effects, functional connectivity, resting state fMRI, language network
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen