Description and contextualization of the subject

This course is designed for students with a special interest in psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics, allowing them to explore various specialized and cutting-edge intellectual aspects in the fields of Cognitive Science and Neuroscience that address the phenomenon of human language from different perspectives, both neurophysiological and functional. This will provide students with a broad and multidisciplinary vision of the field, as well as the various scientific and methodological issues debated within it, and will equip them to undertake innovative and relevant research projects. The specific theme of each year will depend on the instructor.

Temary

Introduction and Overview of Language Neurocognition

Language Representation Models in the Brain

Conclusions and Possible Research Directions in the Field of Language Neurocognition



Specific details for the 2026-27 academic year:



Seminar Title: The neural bases of bilingualism: insights from neuroimaging, neuropsychology, and computational modeling



Course Prerequisites: A basic familiarity with neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and linguistics is recommended. Prior exposure to introductory neurolinguistics or cognitive science courses will be beneficial.



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Course Description



This course provides an in¿depth exploration of the neural mechanisms that underpin bilingual language processing. We begin by reviewing the neurobiological foundations of language and then focus on how bilingualism shapes brain structure and function. Topics include the neural architecture of language, the cognitive control mechanisms responsible for language selection and switching, and the neuroplastic changes that accompany lifelong bilingual experience. Through an

analysis of brain imaging studies, electrophysiological research, and computational models, we will examine how bilingual brains manage dual language systems, the cognitive advantages and challenges that arise from bilingualism, and the clinical implications for language disorders and aging. Students are encouraged to present and analyze research articles or case studies to foster an interactive and evidence¿based discussion.



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Day-to-Day Programme



Day 1, Monday: Foundations of Neurolinguistics



Topic: Introduction to neural language processing and the bilingual brain



Focus: Overview of key neuroanatomical structures, key neuroscience methods, and the fundamental concepts in

neurolinguistics that are essential for understanding monolingual and bilingual language representation.



Day 2, Tuesday: Cognitive Control and Language Switching



Topic: Is there a need for control mechanisms to achieve language selection and switching in bilinguals?



Focus: Discussion of the roles of forced vs voluntary language switching, and the role of the prefrontal cortex and anterior

cingulate cortex in these processes.



Day 3, Wednesday: Lexical Selection in the Bilingual Brain



Topic: How do bilingual people choose language across levels of representation



Focus: Discussion will center the inhibition-based hypotheses and the Selection-by-activation model.



Day 4, Thursday: Cognitive effects of bilingualism (i.e., the bilingual advantage). Overview of the data in favor and against this phenomenon in the literature. Discussion of the theoretical assumptions and about the cognitive precursors that could lead

way to such advantage.



Day 5, Friday: Clinical Implications and Challenges of Bilingualism



Topic: Bilingualism¿s impact on language disorders, and rehabilitation, specifically on aphasia.



Focus: A review of what neuropsychology can tell us about language organization. Review of empirical research on bilingualism and aphasia, and implications for neurodegenerative diseases.

Bibliography

Compulsory materials

Harley, T. A. (2014). The Psychology of Language: From data to theory (4rd. ed.) Hove: Psychology Press. (Earlier editions 1995, 2001, 2008).



Traxler, M.J. (2012). Introduction to Psycholinguistics: Understanding Language Science. Boston, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.

Basic bibliography

Pulvermuller, F. 2001. The Neuroscience of Language. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Stemmer, B., and Whitaker, H. 2008. The Handbook of Neuroscience of Language. Academic Press, Amsterdam.



Background and Preparatory Readings for 2026-27 academic year:



Bialystok, E., Craik, F.I.M., & Luk, G. (2012). Bilingualism: Consequences for Mind and Brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(4), 240¿250.



Abutalebi, A., & Green, D.W. (2016). Neuroimaging of Language Control in Bilinguals: Integrating Evidence from Neuroimaging and Behavioral Studies. In The Neurolinguistics of Bilingualism. Cambridge University Press.



Blanco-Elorrieta, E., & Pylkkänen, L. (2018). Ecological validity in bilingualism research and the bilingual advantage. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 22(12), 1117-1126



Kroll, J.F., & Bialystok, E. (2013). Understanding the Consequences of Bilingualism for Language Processing and Cognition. Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 25(5), 497¿514.

Journals

Brain And Language



http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/622799/description#description







Journal of Neurolinguistics



http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09116044







Journal of Cognitive Science



http://cogsci.snu.ac.kr/jcs/

Links

Laboratorios de interés



Cognitive Evolution Laboratory (Harvard)



http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/~mnkylab/home.html



MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences



http://web.mit.edu/bcs/



Max Plank Institute For Human Cognitive And Brain Sciences



http://www.cbs.mpg.de/index.html