In the right place at the right time: temporal expectations modulate language learning
Temporal expectations are essential for our motor control, they improve our perception and guide most of our behaviors. Language is predominantly conveyed through speech which is inherently a temporal stimulation. However, and despite the ubiquitous relevance of correctly orienting attention in time, we know little about how this ability influences language function. In this talk, I will review developmental data and neuroimaging evidence in adults indicating how the ability to know what to expect at the correct time is a core component of language learning. In particular, I will illustrate how different aspects of temporal orienting have a determinant role on word segmentation and rule learning. The left frontoparietal system involved in temporal orienting has a clear anatomical overlap with the language network. Is this a pure coincidence? I will argue that it is not, and the intimate relation with temporal orienting abilities is essential to understand language learning.
ZOOM LINK: https://ub-edu.zoom.us/j/96645987801