Dinamiche neurali del linguaggio: ERP e ritmi oscillatori nei processi di percezione e produzione linguistica

Abstract

This contribution offers an integrated perspective of the complex mechanisms and neural circuits involved in language perception and processing. Specifically, it analyzes the main event-related potentials (ERPs) associated with language, including the N1 and MMN components involved in phonetic-phonological encoding, the ELAN, LAN, and P600 components active in morpho-syntactic processing, and the N400 component associated with semantic analysis. While the ERP approach provides a valuable means of investigating the timing of linguistic processes, recent studies emphasize the crucial role of neural oscillations – from delta to gamma rhythms – in supporting language comprehension and production. The overall evidence discussed converges towards the hypothesis of a hierarchical and predictive neural architecture, in which different frequencies cooperate in the construction and unification of linguistic processes at the phonological, syntactic, and semantic levels.