Abstract

This thesis investigates the representation of phonological language aspects in the healthy human brain, especially the contribution of the right hemisphere. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), it is demonstrated that the left and right supramarginal gyri are essential for phonological processing. It is also shown that the left as well as the right posterior inferior frontal gyri contribute to efficient phonological decisions. Finally, an fMRI study reveals a frontal network for phonological aspects of language production. These results demonstrate a contribution of both hemispheres to efficient phonological aspects of language comprehension as well as production. Together, these results question the notion of a left-dominant network of brain regions for language processing.