| Our social connection is established through the communication between people.The core of social experience is explained by real-time interaction with others to actively negotiate information.Language-based communication research is the basis for understanding interpersonal communication neural mechanisms.In the study of the bilingualism and second language learning,a better understanding of the neural mechanism in the process of interaction between two people helps us to understand the second language learning and application.At present,in the field of cognitive neuroscience,the research on language processing of bilinguals is mainly focused on cognitive control,with limited research on the neural mechanism in the actual communication process.In the past,studies have found that in different language environments,there are differences in neural synchronization,but the causes of differences are presently unknown.This study uses the technology of functional near-infrared spectrum(f NIRS)hyper-scanning.During the experiment,pairs of participants used Chinese(native language)and English(second language)to communicate with each other.This study aims to explore the differences of brain synchrony between Chinese and English speakers during listening and speaking in native language,and to examine the effect of the level of comprehension on brain synchrony under different linguistic conditions.At the same time,English level,acquisition age,and gender were also included in the analysis as control variables,and,to exclude the effect of increased familiarity during the course of the experiment,the relationship between time course and brain synchronization was also examined.Results showed that:1)Brain synchronization significantly increases under communication.The main brain regions with increased brain synchronization include sensorimotor area,fusiform gyrus,superior temporal gyrus,and prefrontal cortex.Their functions mainly include sensory input,speech processing,cognitive execution,and so on,indicating that natural interactive listening speaking is a complex process that requires a wide range of brain regions to participate in from input to output.2)There is a difference in brain synchronization between native and second language conditions.In Chinese conditions,the regions with significantly enhanced brain synchronization are more involved in primary speech processing,auditory communication,and sensory motor functions,while in English conditions,the regions with significantly enhanced brain synchronization are more involved in cognitive control and semantic processing.Therefore,when using non native language,more advanced cognitive resources need to be utilized.;3)There was a significant effect of comprehension on brain synchrony,such that in the English condition,there was a significant positive correlation between the speakers’ prefrontal cortex and the auditory fusiform and angular gyrus,and no significant correlation was found for the Chinese condition,thus the fusiform and angular gyrus play very important roles in the comprehension of L2.4)The effects of English level,acquisition age,and gender on brain synchrony are also found,specifically: in speakers,the brain synchrony between the frontal pole and the superior temporal,angular,middle temporal gyrus of the listener increased with the level of spoken language,and that of the female frontal pole and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex increased with the level of spoken language Brain synchrony in the inferior frontal and superior temporal gyri was greater for female than for male.This study helps us to understand the neural mechanisms of language production and understanding in Chinese English bilinguals under different language conditions in a more natural environment,while deepening our understanding of the relationship between understanding level and brain synchronization. |
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