Chapter 19 - The Role of Working Memory in Language and Communication Disorders

Abstract

Working memory refers to a limited capacity system that is responsible for the temporary storage and processing of information while cognitive tasks are performed. This chapter examines the neuropsychological evidence relating working memory, and more specifically the phonological loop and the central executive, to some aspects of language processing: sentence comprehension, speech production, and vocabulary acquisition. It is argued that some aspects of Baddeley's working memory model need to be elaborated to accommodate some empirical findings, in particular the effect of semantic information on short-term memory performance. A number of neuropsychological studies indicate that a deficit in working memory may result in some language impairments such as sentence comprehension, acquisition of vocabulary, or even in speech production. These relationships between workingmemory and language have mainly concerned the phonological loop system and the central executive. In fact, the visuospatial sketchpad might also play a role in some aspects of language processing, for example, in text comprehension, inasmuch as mental imagery might be involved.