A Theory for the Neural Basis of Language. Part 1: A Neural Network Model

This report describes a theory and corresponding model for the neural basis of language. A detailed functional description will be given for the following elementary visual-linguistic processes: (1) the selection and neural encoding of patterns from the visual field; (2) the representation of visual experience in memory; (3) the mechanisms of association between different types of visual and verbal information including (a) naming of visual images, (b) naming of positional relationships between objects, (c) naming of size and shape attributes of objects, and (d) imaging of pictorial information which was previously stored in memory; (4) the neural representation of phrases and simple sentences; (5) the recognition of simple sentences and the concept of meaning; and (b) verballydirected recall of visual experience. Strengths and weaknesses of the model are discussed. Part 1 of this paper contains a complete set of operational definitions. The neural networks aie described, and several alternate control strategies for these networks are considered. Part 2 gives a detailed description of computersimulation studies of the proposed model. Processes demonstrated by the computer simulations are: (1) verbally directed recall of visual experience; (2) understanding of verbal information; (3) aspects of learning and forgetting; (4) the dependence of, recognition and understanding on, contextual information; and (5) elementary concepts of sentence generation. The simulation studies are based on one particular choice of control functions.