| |
Abstract:
Abstract: Brain activation during reading phonographic
(Hangul) and ideographic (Hanja) words was compared using
functional MRI by taking advantage of the bi-scriptal system of the
Korean language. In order to examine the psycholinguistic
difference, i.e., phonographic vs. ideographic, separate from other
differences due to Hanja being a secondary script, a control
comparison between Hangul and another phonographic and secondary
script, i.e., alphabet, is made. Interaction analysis between the
two comparisons revealed that a network of brain areas including
the left inferior frontal gyrus, left superior parietal lobule,
bilateral middle occipital gyri, and bilateral fusiform gyri was
more activated with reading ideographic letters in comparison to
reading phonographic ones. In particular, the right fusiform gyrus
and adjacent temporo-occipital region seem more specifically
involved in processing ideographic scripts. On the other hand,
regions in bilateral inferior parietal lobules were more active
with Hangul reading than Hanja. This is consistent with the notion
that reading the phonographic script may involve assembled
phonology route in addition to addressed lexical route, whereas
reading the ideographic script may not involve the former.
|
