Different Brain Activation of Phonological and Semantic Processing with Bilinguals Speakers: An fMRI Study

Abstract

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and PET technology, in bilingual experiments, we obtained the information of brain activation, and obtained some specific brain regions of bilingual activation. In this study, we used fMRI and behavioral experiments to investigate the difference in bilingual by Chinese-Japanese bilingual and Japanese subject in semantic and phonological processing of brain activity. Study on the use of Japanese subjects and Chinese-Japanese bilingual subjects, using Chinese or Japanese semantic or phonological judgment task, through the two groups of subjects their judgment task, discussion of bilingual Chinese and Japanese subjects differences between brain activity in semantic and phonological processing. Results show that no significant different brain area between Chinese semantic judgment task and Chinese phonological judgment task with Chinese-Japanese bilingual subjects, and Japanese semantic judgment task and Japanese phonological judgment task by subtracting the differences between the brain regions: the right frontal lobes (BA8/9), the left fusiform gyrus (BA37), the right temporal lobe (BA22/38); For the Japanese subjects, Japanese semantic judgment task and Japanese phonological judgment task is presupposed differences between the two brain regions include: the left superior temporal gyrus (BA40) and the left temporal lobe (BA22).