Brain activation in noun-based- and predicate-Eojeol processing during Korean visual word recognition

Abstract

This study explored the neural mechanisms involved in processing noun-based- and predicate-Eojeols, morphologically complex word forms in the Korean language. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a lexical decision task, we examined brain activation patterns for these two word types. The results indicated both shared and distinct neural activation patterns: shared regions, including the lingual gyrus and precentral areas, were associated with primary visual processing and higher-order cognitive functions. Distinct activation was observed in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, particularly for predicate Eojeols, which may be related to their greater morpho-syntactic complexity and increased cognitive load. Behavioral data aligned with these findings, showing slower reaction times and lower accuracy for predicate Eojeols. In discussion, we suggest that morphological complexity contributes to differences in how predicate- and noun-based-Eojeols are processed, which could offer insights into language processing beyond Indo-European languages.