汉字加工神经机制的特异性与一般性问题

Advances in Neuroimaging Studies on the Universal versus Writing-specific Brain Networks for Chinese Processing

本文首先综述了汉字加工神经机制的最新研究进展,重点关注三个问题:(1)汉字加工的神经中枢;(2)网络通路;(3)神经机制的一般性和特异性特点。得出了两个主要结论:(1)左侧前额叶中部,尤其是BA9,可能是汉字加工的中枢;(2)汉字与拼音文字阅读具有不同的脑网络通路。随后,研究总结了汉字书写加工的神经机制、书写与拼音打字的差异、镜像神经元研究等汉字加工的最新进展。最后,批判性地分析了有关汉字加工的通用机制与特异机制的争议问题。

Perfetti, et al. （1992） proposed that there was universal phonological principle （UPP） underlying reading across languages. Since then, it has been a research issue whether the brain networks of reading vary across languages and cultures. Perfetti, et al. （2013） suggestes that there should be a universal brain network across writing systems： orthography initiated reading and phonology is activated universally by orthographic inputs afterwards. Language comprehension is the outcome of all kinds of reading. However, the latest findings in behavioral and neuroimaging studies of adults and children suggest that Chinese and alphabetic writing makes different demands on reading and learning to read. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that learning to read would have to accommodate the demands of a writing system （ i.e., Chinese） through the specialization of brain networks that support its reading. In particular, this specialization will increase with the development of reading competency which leads to the differences in brain networks for alphabetic and Chinese reading. In this paper, we explore the universal and writing-system specific aspects of reading and writing, with an aim to understand how research on Chinese reading informs the ＇ universal reading science＇ ~ First, we review the latest advances in neuroimaging study on the brain systems of Chinese reading focusing on the three fundamental questions： （1） which brain area is the most critical one and specific for Chinese reading compared to alphabetic reading; （2） what is the brain network for Chinese reading; and （3） whether there is a universal brain network across different languages. And the results indicated that （1） the left middle frontal gyrus （ especially brain area # 9） might play a critical role in Chinese reading, and （2） different brain systems could be involved in Chinese reading and alphabetic reading. Second, we review the latest neuroimaging studies on the brain networks of Chinese writing, with special attention to （1） the brain system involved in Chinese writing that distinguishes it from alphabetic writing, （2） the comparison of the brain networks between Chinese and alphabetic writing, and （3） the mirror neurons studies in explaining how writing might function to improve reading in Chinese. Last, we deliver a critical analysis on the longstanding debate over the universal versus specialized brain networks in reading and writing across language systems through reviewing the universal phonological principle, universal semantic and orthographic processing principles. The results iUustrat that the universal and writing-specific brain networks may co-exist during the processing of Chinese reading and writing. The implications for future studies are also discussed.