Abstract Language behaviour is complex, but neuroscientific evidence disentangles it into
distinct components supported by dedicated brain areas or networks. In this Review, we …

Social perception refers to initial stages in the processing of information that culminates in
the accurate analysis of the dispositions and intentions of other individuals. Single-cell …

Abstract Syntax, the structure of sentences, enables humans to express an infinite range of
meanings through finite means. The neurobiology of syntax has been intensely studied but …

A landmark account of the neurobiological basis of language—arguing that species-specific
brain differences may be at the root of the human capacity for language. Language makes …

Is the human mind/brain composed of a set of highly specialized components, each carrying
out a specific aspect of human cognition, or is it more of a general-purpose device, in which …

▪ Abstract Human speech and birdsong have numerous parallels. Both humans and
songbirds learn their complex vocalizations early in life, exhibiting a strong dependence on …

Neuroscientists have debated for centuries whether some regions of the human brain are
selectively engaged in specific high-level mental functions or whether, instead, cognition is …

It is often said that speech is what distinguishes us from other animals. But are we all talk?
What if language was bequeathed to us not by word of mouth, but as a hand-me-down?The …

Previous neuroimaging research has identified a number of brain regions sensitive to
different aspects of linguistic processing, but precise functional characterization of these …

Once signed languages are recognized as natural human languages, a world of exploration
opens up. Signed languages provide a powerful tool for investigating the nature of human …