{"title":"Brain asymmetries in figurative language comprehension.","authors":"Costanza Papagno","doi":"10.1016/B978-0-443-15646-5.00013-0","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This chapter reviews the literature concerning the neural basis of three types of figurative expressions, namely, idioms, metaphors, and irony. Besides these three forms of language, which are the most investigated, many other types exist, differing in their linguistic structure and, consequently, in the corresponding comprehension processes. After defining the most common figurative expressions and showing how they differ in terms of linguistic properties, the chapter presents early studies that focused on the role of the right hemisphere (RH) in figurative language comprehension in general, without a clear distinction among different forms. Later literature shows how evidence has been accumulated, suggesting that both hemispheres are involved in figurative language processing. Therefore, a sharp distinction between the left hemisphere (LH) and the RH, the first involved in literal language and the second in figurative language, is not tenable. Idioms, metaphors, and irony will be considered separately, demonstrating that different expressions rely on the LH and RH to a different degree.</p>","PeriodicalId":12907,"journal":{"name":"Handbook of clinical neurology","volume":"208 ","pages":"289-299"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Handbook of clinical neurology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-15646-5.00013-0","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"Medicine","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This chapter reviews the literature concerning the neural basis of three types of figurative expressions, namely, idioms, metaphors, and irony. Besides these three forms of language, which are the most investigated, many other types exist, differing in their linguistic structure and, consequently, in the corresponding comprehension processes. After defining the most common figurative expressions and showing how they differ in terms of linguistic properties, the chapter presents early studies that focused on the role of the right hemisphere (RH) in figurative language comprehension in general, without a clear distinction among different forms. Later literature shows how evidence has been accumulated, suggesting that both hemispheres are involved in figurative language processing. Therefore, a sharp distinction between the left hemisphere (LH) and the RH, the first involved in literal language and the second in figurative language, is not tenable. Idioms, metaphors, and irony will be considered separately, demonstrating that different expressions rely on the LH and RH to a different degree.
期刊介绍:
The Handbook of Clinical Neurology (HCN) was originally conceived and edited by Pierre Vinken and George Bruyn as a prestigious, multivolume reference work that would cover all the disorders encountered by clinicians and researchers engaged in neurology and allied fields. The first series of the Handbook (Volumes 1-44) was published between 1968 and 1982 and was followed by a second series (Volumes 45-78), guided by the same editors, which concluded in 2002. By that time, the Handbook had come to represent one of the largest scientific works ever published. In 2002, Professors Michael J. Aminoff, François Boller, and Dick F. Swaab took on the responsibility of supervising the third (current) series, the first volumes of which published in 2003. They have designed this series to encompass both clinical neurology and also the basic and clinical neurosciences that are its underpinning. Given the enormity and complexity of the accumulating literature, it is almost impossible to keep abreast of developments in the field, thus providing the raison d''être for the series. The series will thus appeal to clinicians and investigators alike, providing to each an added dimension. Now, more than 140 volumes after it began, the Handbook of Clinical Neurology series has an unparalleled reputation for providing the latest information on fundamental research on the operation of the nervous system in health and disease, comprehensive clinical information on neurological and related disorders, and up-to-date treatment protocols.