Chapter 10: Language Organs and Grammar Genes Summary and Analysis

Chapter 10: Language Organs and Grammar Genes

Pinker discusses a scientific discovery from 1861 in which it was proven that aphasic patients tended to have lesions in the left side of the brain. This was shown too many times to be coincidence. Further studies showed that the majority of language skill is centered in the left brain. Not only is the ability to speak affected by issues in the left brain but all language in general, including sign language.

Pinker discusses how the brain works and how it is separated into hemispheres. However, pinpointing specific centers for specific linguistic functions has proven to be frustrating at best.

Pinker states: "From the standpoint of what the brain is designed to do, it would not be surprising if language subcenters are idiosyncratically tangled or scattered...